Jean Therese Aulbach Austin, 81
Jean Therese Aulbach Austin, 81, passed away on Monday, April 19, 2010, in Federal Way, Wash., at St. Francis Hospital.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. and Rosary will be said at 7 p.m., Friday, April 23, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sandpoint, Idaho. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 24 with Father Dennis C. Day officiating. Burial will follow at the Lakeview Cemetery.
Jean was born on Jan. 12, 1929, in Detroit, Mich., to Harvey and Josephine Aulbach, and lived there only until age 2. Her family migrated to Southern California, where she grew up and attended schools.
Her father worked as a photographic artist at MGM studios, and Jean, enrolled in the nearby dance studio, often appeared in bit parts in films-most notably “Little Rascals,” several Shirley Temple movies, and in the movie “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” with Mickey Rooney.
After graduating from St. Monica’s High School, she entered the Convent at Immaculate Heart, where she also went to college. During this time she taught school to the elementary children. Deciding to take a different path, she left convent life and returned home to be with her ailing father, and continued college. She met Ramon Austin; they were married on July 23, 1955, at St Mark’s Catholic Church in Venice, Calif.
Jean enjoyed life as a mother of four children, and also worked as a bank teller for Bank of America in Culver City, and then financial secretary for Tokai Bank in Inglewood.
In 1988 she moved to Sandpoint to be closer to her kids and grandkids, and worked at Alpine Motors and later as the school secretary for the Lake Pend Oreille High School, where she retired in 2002. There her students nicknamed her “the dragon.” They grew to cherish her for her admiration of them, and also for her love of music. When the students heard that she had to sell her beloved violin, given to her by her father, they pooled their own money to present her with a new one.
She loved family get-togethers, and was dedicated to documenting the family genealogy. She enjoyed crocheting, and always made a new blanket for every grandchild and great-grandchild born into the family. She made certain that every newly married couple had a wedding afghan, and she filled her spare time with crocheting hats for newborn babies at Bonner General Hospital and Kootenai Medical Center.
Jean enjoyed great old movies, good books, music, and playing the violin immensely; she played in area symphonies and smaller groups with accomplished musicians and friends, including Karen Reiner, Sally Dexter, Doris Hunter, and Royce Howell and Pam Rarick. She taught valuable lessons to her children and grandchildren, and instilled a strong sense of moral values, manners, and integrity. There are several friends and members of the community who loved and admired her.
Among those grieving her loss are her four children, Maria (Jack) Walden of Sandpoint, Jerome (Carla) Austin of Federal Way, Steve (Dana) Austin of Federal Way, and Philip (Kelly) Austin of Ukiah, Calif; one brother, Harvey Aulbach of Sandpoint; 13 grandchildren, Brian Neitzke (Misty Grage), Dustin (Malia) Walden, Matthew Walden (Shanna Bullard), Daniel (Ashley) Walden, Sean Walden (Simone Carpenter), Briana and Kevin Austin, Jennifer (Daniel) Stevens, Michael Austin, Shannon Austin, Matthew Austin, Elizabeth (Tyler) Brun, Eric Austin (Hanna), and Nathan Austin; and several great-grandchildren, Ryan Williams, Aaron Larkin, Josh Vest, and Ray Austin, her husband of 30 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert Aulbach; and sister, Margaret Lysaght.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Jean’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.