Patricia Pattie Lura Austin

Patricia Lura Austin passed away on November 12, 2014, surrounded by her beloved family, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Her faith and optimistic nature, as well as the unwavering support of her dear husband, Chuck, gave her strength through the challenges of fighting this vicious disease. Pattie's time on earth was characterized by optimism, faith, friendship, and enjoying life. She was truly a good hearted woman  to quote a favorite country song of hers that she identified with. She cherished every one of her many friends and always valued her time with the girls. Additionally, she maintained several lifelong friendships which meant the world to her. Pattie was born in Denver to Dwight and Vernice Sullivan, though her family lived in Idaho Springs at the time. When she was six, her family, including brothers Mark and Dwight, Jr., moved to Longmont, where Pattie attended Central Elementary and Longmont High School, graduating in 1961. Throughout high school, she was put to work at her father's drug store, Sullivan Drug. After high school, Pattie attended CSU for one year before going to the University of Arizona for a year. She then returned to Colorado to marry Donald Beasley, of Lyons, Colorado, who was attending CSU on a ROTC scholarship. There, they had their first son, Patrick. Daughter Dana was born a couple of years later. The couple moved frequently during the early years of their marriage, and after Don returned from Vietnam they soon decided to move to Alaska, where they had many adventures and where their son Jay was born. The family lost Don in 1973 when his bush plane went down after a moose hunt. Pattie and the kids returned to Colorado, and a couple of years later she met the love of her life, Chuck Austin. After a brief period of dating, they decided to join together their families, including Chuck's kids, Monica and David. They were married in Steamboat Springs, in four feet of snow, under a blue sky, on December 3, 1977.She and Chuck settled in Longmont, and soon bought property north of town, where they raised five kids and enjoyed their life together on the farm, where Chuck ran his many businesses. The farm always had an open door for friends, family, friends of her kids and grandkids, and even the occasional dog brought home from Mexico. All of these people tended to join whatever party she had found an excuse to throw, including her treasured Thanksgiving dinner. Pattie is remembered as a fun, cool and fiercely devoted Mom, who always let her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews know how much they were loved, and encouraged them to find what makes their hearts sing. After marrying Chuck, Pattie returned to school and earned a Bachelors degree from Metro State, and worked as a teacher at Skyline High for a time before earning a Masters from the University of Northern Colorado in Counseling. She then had a family counselling practice in Longmont. Pattie was very active at Central Presbyterian church in Longmont and her greatest joy was to take her grandchildren to Sunday school, Music in the Mountains, Wednesday Night Live and Highlands camp. She taught Sunday school and was involved in the children's ministry and Wednesday Night Live for several years. She also was involved with the Clueless Chicks, her bible study group of over 30 years. She was a member of PEO Chapter M and AAUW. She also spent many hours volunteering and exercising at Longmont United Hospital.Pattie loved skiing and made a point of teaching all of their children to ski, making many wonderful memories at their much loved condo in Steamboat Springs. She loved to hike and explore the Rocky Mountains, and she never met a water park or beach she didn't love.Chuck and Pattie enjoyed traveling together, most recently to Italy and Portugal. They loved their many vacations to Hawaii where they could enjoy the golf courses and beaches.Pattie is survived by her husband, Chuck Austin, son Patrick Beasley of Centennial, his wife, Fonda, daughter Dana Beasley Riss, of Longmont, her husband, Bill, daughter Monica Austin, of Steamboat Springs, son David Austin, of Longmont, and son Jay Beasley of Longmont, as well as grandchildren Maxwell, Dexter and Chilton Beasley, and Calvin, Miles and Harper Elinor Riss.She is also survived by her former Mother-in-Law and dear friend, Becky Beasley, brothers Dwight Sullivan Jr. (Sheri) of Johnstown and Mark Sullivan (Deborah) of Longmont plus nieces and nephews and cousins who all loved her dearly.A visitation will be held from 5-7pm, Monday, November 17 at Central Longmont (formerly Central Presbyterian Church), 402 Kimbark St. with the family present to greet friends. At Pattie's request, the casket will be closed. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am, Tuesday, November 18, also at Central Longmont. Private interment at Ryssby Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Highlands Camp or Central Longmont in c/o Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.