Madeline, “Nana” Austin, 88, died Feb. 16, 2013, at South Peninsula Hospital. A funeral is today at 2 p.m. Feb. 21, 2013, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 255 Open Lane, Homer, AK 99603, with Father Bob officiating the Mass. Internment will be held at the Hickerson Cemetery on Diamond Ridge Road in Homer following the Mass.
She was born Madeline Albani on Feb. 24, 1924, in Boston, Mass., and spent her childhood there. As a young woman, she worked as a hospital nurse. She married William “Bill” Austin on June 24, 1950. During her married life, she and her family lived in Massachusetts, Maryland and Washington state. Madeline and Bill retired to Alaska and were welcomed warmly into the communities of Anchor Point and Homer.
Madeline was a very warm and loving mother who raised four children with her husband at sea much of the time. She had amazing energy. She made sure her kids were involved in many activities, kept a very clean and organized house, and was still able to sew clothes for her children, knit afghans and cook wonderful Italian meals. She always put her family’s needs before her own and was always there, especially during the hard times.
She is preceded in death by her daughter Andrea and her husband Bill.
She is survived by her daughter Madeline and her husband Thomas; her son Mark and his wife Lynn; her daughter Martha and her husband Brian; and son-in-law David. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Leander and his wife Heather, Toby, Michael, Amelia, Sabrina, George, Katerina, Francesca, Gabriella and Austin Quinn; and one great-grandchild, Leander Jr. “Andy.”
Her family would like to thank the Anchor Point and Homer communities for their tremendous kindness and support of Madeline “Nana,” especially as she grew older. We would also like to thank the Homer doctors and nurses and all the alternative medical practitioners who went out of their way to make her last days as comfortable and meaningful as they could. It is much appreciated.
Arrangements were made by The Homer Funeral Home. Please visit her obituary and online guestbook at www.alaskanfuneral.com.