Marion Semple Austin

Marion Semple Austin died on Thursday, June 11, 2015, at the age of 102. She died at her home peacefully and gracefully surrounded by loving family and friends. She was born May 21, 1913, in OKC, OK, to C.Y. and Florence Semple. Some of Marion's earliest and fondest memories were of the summers she spent in Mount Vernon, OH, at her grandfather’s home. Marion attended Classen High School in OKC and Sullins College in Virginia for 2 years. She then went to Ohio State University where she met Richard T. “Dick” Austin whom she married in Joplin, MO, on June 24, 1935. Dick was the owner of Austin Lumber Company in Oklahoma City until his death in 1978.

Marion was an incredible and very unique woman, especially considering the generation in which she was raised. She was curious, eager to learn and was full of knowledge; she was both interested and interesting which made her a delightful friend and companion. Marion was a wonderful, caring person, a good listener, and a friend to people of all ages, as well as an intelligent and very capable business woman. Most important, however, was the love she felt and the interest she took in the lives of her children, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family and friends. Until the day she died, Marion could answer any question you might ask concerning the lives and well-being of any of her loved ones.

Her generosity and giving spirit was one of her strong suits. As much as Marion enjoyed traveling the world and experiencing all it had to offer, nothing made Marion happier than to be able to take her entire family on vacations to Scotland, Hawaii, and Florida, just to name a few. Although Marion experienced heartbreak on many occasions as the result of the deaths of her husband and two sons, as well many others close to her, she learned from her losses and adversity, gave herself a limited amount of time to grieve, and became even more determined to live her life to the fullest in memory and honor of those she had loved and lost. She knew how fortunate she was and always felt grateful for the many blessings in her life.

Marion’s passion was traveling! At the age of 101 she went to Scotland with her daughter-in-law Virginia Schubert to visit their long time friend Margaret Jaffrey. The same year she flew with the Joyce family to NY to celebrate her granddaughter Anne’s 40th birthday. Marion loved life and didn’t want to miss a thing! Her other interests included playing bridge, volunteering at Presbyterian Hospital, enjoying weekly personal training with instructor and friend, Barbie Vervak, and attending Friday night gatherings with the “Harem” group. She was an avid reader, a member of the Blue Stockings Club, the Acorn Club and the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. She was one of the founders of All Souls’ Episcopal Church.

Marion was preceded in death by her husband Richard T. “Dick” Austin, her son Robert “Bobby,” and her son Richard T. “Mike” Austin, Jr.

Marion is survived by her “one-phone-call-away” security, her lunch companion, her appointment chauffeur, and loving daughter Jane and husband Walt Joyce of Edmond, and their daughters Deven Vernon and husband Rod, OKC, and Anne Lawrence and husband Peter, Brooklyn, NY. She is also survived by her grandchildren Richard Thompson Austin III and wife Lisa, Louisville, KY; Michael Griffith Austin and wife Jessica, Annapolis, Maryland; and Elisabeth Howell and husband Robert, Houston, TX, daughter-in-law Virginia and her husband Dick Schubert, Washington D.C.; daughter-in-law Shannon Austin, OKC, and 10 great-grand children.

A special thanks goes to Rocketta Austin for her loving care over the last 3 years.

Marion Austin and her heart of gold will be missed by all! She will continue to live in our memories as a wonderful example of how to live life to the fullest by surrounding yourself with love, gratitude, family, and friends!

A memorial service will be held for Marion on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at All Souls' Episcopal Church at 3 p.m. Contributions may be made to “The Guild of St. George”, 117 NW 7th Street, Oklahoma City, 73102 or any animal rescue organization of your choice.