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Kathy Austin’s memorial information:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=73283405

Birth:
Apr. 24, 1957
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara County
California, USA

Death:

Jul. 4, 2011
Lane County
Oregon, USA

The Eugene Register-Guard
Lane County, Oregon
Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Kathryn Austin

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. July 17 at Temple Beth Israel in Eugene for Kathryn Marie Austin of Eugene, who died July 4 of ovarian cancer. She was 54.

She was born April 24, 1957, in Santa Barbara, Calif., to Alex Austin and Ramona Fletcher. She married Gregory Ausland on May 25, 1991, in Reno, Nev.

She graduated with an degree from the University of Oregon in 1981 and with a masters' degree from Pacific University in 1985. She worked as a physical therapist for PeaceHealth for 25 years.

Survivors include her husband; her mother; a stepdaughter, Chelsea Ausland of Portland; a stepson, Hayden Ausland of Corvallis; and eight siblings, Linda Austin, Joanne Austin, Julie Austin Souza, Joseph Austin, Matt Austin, Sooz Austin, Maggie Austin and Janet Austin. A son, Connor Ausland, died Feb. 5, 2011.

Arrangements by Sunset Hills Cemetery, Funeral Home & Cemetery in Eugene. Remembrances to the Connor Ausland Memorial Scholarship Fund at Oregon Community Foundation in Eugene.

~~~

Kathryn Marie Austin
1957 - 2011

Tell them to remember me when I was fun-loving and adventurous. Tell them to remember me when I was strong and vivacious. ~ Kathy Austin

Beloved mother of Connor, Hayden and Chelsea, wife of Greg and friend to all, passed away peacefully at home on July 4th, 2011, surrounded by loved ones. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007, Kathy's courage and grace these past four years were an inspiration to us all.

Kathy was born April 24, 1957 in Santa Barbara, California and raised in Medford, Oregon, where she attended Medford High School. She graduated from the University of Oregon in 1981 with a Bachelors degree in Biology. She went on to receive her degree in Physical Therapy at Pacific University in Forest Grove in 1985. Kathy worked as a physical therapist at PeaceHealth for over 25 years serving as supervisor from 1995-2007. She was one of the few lymphedema specialists in the community, and was highly regarded for her work with post-surgical cancer patients. Kathy brought compassion, dedication and a healing touch to therapy. Her wonderful sense of humor comforted patients and peers in difficult times.

Kathy met Greg Ausland, the love of her life, in 1990. They had 21 beautiful years together as husband and wife, best friends and soul mates.

On College Hill, Kathy and Greg created a light-filled and inviting home where the door was always open and friends always welcome. Kathy kept a stocked refrigerator and plenty of Dr. Pepper on hand for Connor's friends who to this day consider it a second home and come and go freely.

On February 5, 2011, Kathy and Greg lost their sweet boy Connor in a tragic accident on the Oregon Coast. For Kathy, motherhood was life's greatest gift. She poured herself heart and soul into raising Connor and each moment with Connor was a joy and a blessing for her. They are together now for eternity.

Kathy is also predeceased by her father Alex Austin. She is survived by her mother Mona, son Hayden, daughter Chelsea, eight siblings (Linda, Joanne, Matt, Julie, Susie, Joseph, Janet, and Maggie), brother-in-law Kelly Ausland, sister-in-law Brooke Smith, brother-in-law Scott Ausland, sister-in law Lysa Cook, four nieces, seven nephews, and her loyal dog Harley.

Athlete, painter, gardener, poet, cook, Kathy lived her life fully and passionately. Her striking physical presence and soulful blue eyes were matched with an uncommon inner-strength and grace. Through good times and bad, Kathy's infectious smile put friends at ease and her quick wit kept them laughing. She was devoted to books and music, and had a great appreciation of the arts. Kathy had a singular sense of style and delighted in her fabulous collections of vintage pottery and purses. Forever curious and adventurous, in the last few years she and Greg visited Italy, New York, Paris, Roatan, Zion and the Grand Canyon, creating lasting memories. She loved camping trips, and family vacations each summer in Neskowin were a special time. Her last trip with the family to Camp Sherman in Central Oregon was particularly joyful.

To honor Kathy's life, donations can be can be made to the Connor Ausland Memorial Scholarship fund: The Oregon Community Foundation, 440 E. Broadway, Suite 160, Eugene, OR 97401 or on the Foundation's web site at www.oregoncf.org.