Ellen Marie Austin, 85, formerly of Waitsfield and for the past 10 years a resident of Essex Center, passed away in the comfort of her home and family on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. Born in Newark, NJ, on November 11, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Agnes (Krumeich) Meyer. On April 24, 1975, she married William E. Austin in Summit, NJ. Bill predeceased Ellen on April 24, 2001.
Ellen grew up in Lake Hopatcong, NJ, and spent her earlier years there. Moving with Bill to the Mad River Valley in 1978, they settled in Waitsfield where together they established and renovated Black Sheep Farm. For over 17 years, they raised Suffolk sheep for their meat, wool and pelts. Following their retirement, they built their dream home, a log cabin in Waitsfield, and spent time lovingly restoring their classic 1946 Chris Craft runabout boat.
In her leisure time, Ellen enjoyed canoeing, skiing, gardening, hiking, camping, knitting, spinning wool, reading and spending beautiful summer days on Lake Champlain boating. Her memberships included the Vermont Sheep Breeders Association, the Lake Champlain Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, the Waitsfield Couples Club and the Mad River Valley American Legion Auxiliary Unit 75.
Ellen is loved and mourned by her children, Teresa Jarvis and her husband David of Essex Jct., Sue Tall of Milton, Christine Haworth and her husband BJ of Brooksville, FL, Cindy Rademacher and her husband Greg of Long Valley, NJ, Lynn Schilling and her husband Rick of South Burlington, Melissa Eskins and her husband David of Littleton, CO, Christopher Tall and his wife Carmen of Essex Jct., and Bobby Austin and his wife Samantha of Durham, NC; 19 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; a sister, Doris Pitney of Sierra Key, FL; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Ellen was predeceased by three children, Pamela Geary, Pamela Falcone and Patrick Tall.
Funeral services will be held from Perkins-Parker Funeral Home, 48 South Main Street, Waterbury, on Monday, November 14, 2016, at 1 p.m. where friends and family may call from noon until the hour of the service. Interment will follow in the Waitsfield Common Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts would be appreciated to the National Parkinson Foundation (www.parkinson.org). To send online condolences visit www.perkinsparker.com.
