Jane Austin

AUSTIN, MS. JANE LINDSEY North Muskegon Ms. Jane Lindsey Austin, age 66, slipped away to her Lord on April 20, 2007, at VNS Hospice House. A dynamic and creative woman, Jane was a lifelong Muskegon County resident. Born on December 29, 1940 to Dr. John Lindsey and Jaynette Hornbeck Austin, she graduated from North Muskegon High School where she played clarinet in the first section, helping to catapult the NMHS band to Class C First Division Status. At 16, Jane was one of the first Youth For Understanding students from Michigan, living in Kent, England, and later became a host "sister" for many teenagers from all over the world. Jane continued her education at Michigan State University, receiving a B.S. in early childhood education in 1962. What became a love affair between Jane and her students continued for 30 years in the Reeths-Puffer School System, at both Pennsylvania School, the year it opened, and Central Elementary. Both in and outside the classroom, Jane sought to challenge all students to achieve excellence. She helped design the Talented & Gifted Program, the Artzenhancer Program, the Algebra for 4th Graders Program, and Brainworks, a tutoring program in downtown Muskegon. Jane also continued her education by taking classes that kept her on the cutting edge of the most innovative teaching techniques. As a community activist, Jane held board positions with the Miss Michigan Pageant, was a member and past President of the Greater Muskegon Service League Foundation, the Hackley Library Distinguished Lecturer Committee, the first female member of the Muskegon Northside Lions Club, an officer of PEO, Chapter Y Sisterhood and a founding member of Chapter FR, a philanthropic education organization. Jane conceived of the Women & Children's Fund with the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Her most rewarding endeavor was helping to establish the West Michigan WINDS in 1979. She remained an active member for the rest of her life, serving on the Board of Directors for several terms and playing clarinet and bass clarinet in the band. Jane had a zany sense of humor, as well as a keen intellect, and will be cherished forever by her brother Henry and his wife, Carole Austin of Shelby, her sister Mary Austin Luther and her husband, Carl, of Whitehall, and her sister Ginger Austin and partner Laura Tomayko of North Muskegon. She will also live on in the hearts of her nieces and nephews, Dr. Elizabeth Turner and her husband Mark of Atlanta, GA, Lindsey Rosen and her husband, Dr. Eric of Seattle, WA, Andrew Yeager and his wife Patty of Wilmette, IL, Jeffrey Fleckenstein and wife, Leslie, of Asheville, N C, Charles Fleckenstein and wife, Brandi, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, John Henry Austin of Fremont, Paul Luther of Toledo, OH, Matthew Luther of North Muskegon, and Andy Luther of Chicago, IL; as well as great-nephews Colby Turner and John Austin, and great-nieces, Natalie Turner, Laila Rosen, Lucy, Greta and Josie Yeager, and Brooke Austin. Jane's loving and accepting spirit will remain with all those who were blessed to call her teacher, sister, and friend. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2007, at 11 AM, at First Lutheran Church, 1206 N. Whitehall Road, with Pastor Bill Uetricht officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Jane with a gift to her favorite charities: The Women & Children's Fund or The West Michigan WINDS Endowment Fund, both in care of The Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book. Clock Life Story - Muskegon