Deborah Austin

Deborah and I were the best of friends during my years in State College (1965-72). We spent hours walking, bird watching, and talking on the phone (of all things). Both of us normally disliked talking on the phone and yet we would do just that for hours. Deborah introduced me to her favorite vacation spot in Sullivan, Maine, and interestingly enough I now live directly across the bay from her rental cabin. Her love of nature has enriched my life. I will miss her very much but am comforted by...

Deborah was the first adult to treat me as an adult beginning at about age 10. I felt privileged to have her as my godmother, offering me her wisdom in wonderful letters she began writing me in 1970 and continued to write for the next two decades. I remember her wonderful house at the base of Mount Nittany, her Keeshonds, her love of nature, her modesty, her laugh and, of course, those glasses. She added beauty to the world.

Deborah was a close friend of my parents--she was my sister Becky's godmother--and was always a wonderful, intelligent, graceful presence in my childhood life. I too remember her house on Mount Nittany, which was warm and spare but book-filled. Her wisdom and kindness will always be with me.

Dr. Austin was always kind to me when I was a child. She had a delightful sense of humor and true erudition. I am sorry to miss her memorial, but will be with all in spirit.

Deborah was my mother's best friend when I was growing up. She told me wonderful stories about growing up at a hotel her parents owned and ran in New England. Later, she had a beutiful house in Lemont on the side of what I remember as a mountain. The house seemed very spare and simple to me, my first exposure to the influence of japanese style on western homes.

I shall very much miss her style and humor and sense of beauty.

Deborah was a most marvelous and fascinating person. Many lives were enriched by her. Requiescat in pace.