Obituary of Eleanor L. Austin

EDWARDS - Eleanor L. Austin, age 96, of South Edwards, passed away at home on Sunday, November 10, 2013 under the loving care of her family and Hospice. Family will receive visitors at Eleanor's home at 1191 Co. Rt. 23 on Thursday, November 14th from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Her funeral service will be on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the South Edwards United Methodist Church with Rev. Thomas Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the South Edwards Cemetery. Eleanor was born on April 18, 1917 in South Edwards to the late Earl H. and Helen (Rowley) Whitford. She attended school in South Edwards and graduated from Edwards Central School in 1934. Eleanor married Lloyd V. Austin on December 24, 1936 in the Redwood Lutheran parsonage with Rev. Henderson officiating. Lloyd passed away on July 6, 1998. Mr. and Mrs. Austin had hosted dozens of A.F.S. students from all over the world. They were charter members of Skirts and Flirts Round and Square Dancers. Eleanor was a long time member of the Edwards United Methodist Church where she held various offices and was a former member of the Edwards Grange. Eleanor loved doing crafts and ran Alder Brook Crafts for some time. She was a skilled dress maker and gifted weaver of rugs. She enjoyed woodworking and work on her home. Her survivors include two sons, Harold L. and Janie Austin of Hyde Park, Raymond L. and Karen Austin of Fine; two daughters, Alice A. and Gerald Antwine of South Edwards, Mary L. Austin of South Edwards; 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and her husband, Eleanor is predeceased by her brother, Phillip E. Whitford, and her sister, Marian E. Smith. Donations in memory of Eleanor may be made to the South Edwards United Methodist Church. Condolences may be made online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.