Pittstown- Joan Carolyn (Lawton) Austin, 94, entered into heavenly rest Thursday, July 4, 2024, at her longtime Pittstown residence with her loving family by her side, following a short illness.
Born in Troy, September 9, 1929, Joan was the eldest of three children born to the late Kenneth V. and Dorothy M. (Kinloch) Lawton and, for over 51 years, the loving wife of the late Robert E. Austin, who predeceased her in 1998.
Joan was a graduate of Troy High School, Class of 1947.
During Joan’s high school years, her early married life, and until her third child was born, Joan worked in the mail order department of the former Montgomery Ward and Co. in Menands. After that, she worked as a waitress, covering the lunch crowd, at the former Stick’s Restaurant in Cropseyville, while husband, Bob, tended the bar. Most recently, she was employed as an office clerk at the former Woolworth Department Store in Troy and later in Menands. After more than 34 years of service, she retired in 1990. Following her retirement, she volunteered with Rensselaer County Social Services, delivering meals on wheels from the Hoosick Falls Senior Center, where she was a member.
Joan was a member of the Pittstown United Methodist Church, a past secretary and Sunshine person in the Pittstown United Methodist Women’s Group, a past president of the Center Brunswick Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, treasurer of the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company Women’s Auxiliary, a Charter Member of the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps., rode the ambulance until the late 1970s, and for many years worked Bingo and dinners hosted at the squad house. In 2018, she received an award from the Corps. for her more than 45 years of continuous service. Joan enjoyed traveling, especially to Florida and was an avid auto racing fan following NASCAR, INDY Car and Formula Ine motorsports.
Joan is survived by her children, Robert K. and Sandra Austin of Pittstown, Donald W. Austin of Florida, Diane J. (the late James R.) Austin of Pittstown, and Susan and Peter Devito of Halfmoon, ninet grandchildren, Stephen (Jennifer) Austin, Jennifer (Greg) Cardin, Brian Austin, Cathy Blauber, Mark (Lisa) Balistreri, David (Stacy) Hubbard, Debra (Kevin) Dufresne, Robert Austin and Nicole (Patrick) Devito-Della Rocca, 24 great-grandchildren, Jim, Joshua, Michelle, Andrew, Joey, Aiden, Wyatt, Logan, Jesse, Miranda, Madeline, Daniel, Lyndsay, Jessica, Samantha, Emily, Megan, Lauren, Laura, Ethan, Zachary, Makayla, Brianna, and Henry, a great-great-granddaughter, Ellie, her sister-in-law, Jane Lawton and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, husband, and son Jim, she was predeceased by her brother,, Donald Lawton, and her sister, Patricia Lawton Tate and two grandchildren, Angie Hathaway and Geno St. Andrew
A funeral service for Joan will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Pittstown United Methodist Church, 57 Old Route 7, in Pittstown with Rev. Jim Knapp officiating. Burial will be held at Norton Cemetery in Pittstown at the convenience of the family. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday, July 8, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Howard B. Tate &Son F.H. Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to either the Pittstown United Methodist Church, the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps., or the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company in memory of Joan C. Austin.
The Austin family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nurses and staff of Community Hospice and NP Anneliese Provost-Sheffer for their excellent care and support of Joan while she was under their supervision.
Born in Troy, September 9, 1929, Joan was the eldest of three children born to the late Kenneth V. and Dorothy M. (Kinloch) Lawton and, for over 51 years, the loving wife of the late Robert E. Austin, who predeceased her in 1998.
Joan was a graduate of Troy High School, Class of 1947.
During Joan’s high school years, her early married life, and until her third child was born, Joan worked in the mail order department of the former Montgomery Ward and Co. in Menands. After that, she worked as a waitress, covering the lunch crowd, at the former Stick’s Restaurant in Cropseyville, while husband, Bob, tended the bar. Most recently, she was employed as an office clerk at the former Woolworth Department Store in Troy and later in Menands. After more than 34 years of service, she retired in 1990. Following her retirement, she volunteered with Rensselaer County Social Services, delivering meals on wheels from the Hoosick Falls Senior Center, where she was a member.
Joan was a member of the Pittstown United Methodist Church, a past secretary and Sunshine person in the Pittstown United Methodist Women’s Group, a past president of the Center Brunswick Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, treasurer of the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company Women’s Auxiliary, a Charter Member of the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps., rode the ambulance until the late 1970s, and for many years worked Bingo and dinners hosted at the squad house. In 2018, she received an award from the Corps. for her more than 45 years of continuous service. Joan enjoyed traveling, especially to Florida and was an avid auto racing fan following NASCAR, INDY Car and Formula Ine motorsports.
Joan is survived by her children, Robert K. and Sandra Austin of Pittstown, Donald W. Austin of Florida, Diane J. (the late James R.) Austin of Pittstown, and Susan and Peter Devito of Halfmoon, ninet grandchildren, Stephen (Jennifer) Austin, Jennifer (Greg) Cardin, Brian Austin, Cathy Blauber, Mark (Lisa) Balistreri, David (Stacy) Hubbard, Debra (Kevin) Dufresne, Robert Austin and Nicole (Patrick) Devito-Della Rocca, 24 great-grandchildren, Jim, Joshua, Michelle, Andrew, Joey, Aiden, Wyatt, Logan, Jesse, Miranda, Madeline, Daniel, Lyndsay, Jessica, Samantha, Emily, Megan, Lauren, Laura, Ethan, Zachary, Makayla, Brianna, and Henry, a great-great-granddaughter, Ellie, her sister-in-law, Jane Lawton and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, husband, and son Jim, she was predeceased by her brother,, Donald Lawton, and her sister, Patricia Lawton Tate and two grandchildren, Angie Hathaway and Geno St. Andrew
A funeral service for Joan will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Pittstown United Methodist Church, 57 Old Route 7, in Pittstown with Rev. Jim Knapp officiating. Burial will be held at Norton Cemetery in Pittstown at the convenience of the family. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday, July 8, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Howard B. Tate &Son F.H. Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to either the Pittstown United Methodist Church, the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps., or the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company in memory of Joan C. Austin.
The Austin family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nurses and staff of Community Hospice and NP Anneliese Provost-Sheffer for their excellent care and support of Joan while she was under their supervision.