Sandra Leigh Austin, 81, a long-time resident of Muncie, In., passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Louisville, Ky., leaving behind a legacy of diligent work, laughter, many friends, and unwavering family devotion.
Sandy was born on July 29, 1944, in Muncie, the daughter of Margaret Thresher. Sandy deeply loved and cherished her mother throughout her life, caring for her in her later years. In Sandy’s early years, she and her older sister, Mary, lived in several cities as they moved in conjunction with their mother’s employment with Sikorsky Aircraft before moving back to Muncie, where she graduated from Muncie Central High School. Sandy began full-time work in a State Farm Insurance Office, where she met her future husband and the love of her life, Paul Austin. When Paul assumed that State Farm agency, she continued to work with him, where they loved working together serving hundreds of families in the Muncie area until they retired in 1997. Sandy and Paul enjoyed being with friends and family, and traveled extensively in a motor home including several trips to Arizona and Florida. Sandy also loved helping her neighbors, getting up early to bring the daily newspaper or trash bin up from the street to the house. Sandy loved her Lord Jesus and attended The Garden at Gethsemane Methodist Church.
Sandy is survived by her sister, Mary Thresher of Muncie, stepson Brad (Kate) and step-grandchildren Sydney and Declan, of Springfield, Va., brothers-in-law Glenn (Wanda) and Wayne (Lynn) of Louisville, Ky., aunt JoAnn Morrow of Muncie, and several cousins. Sandy was predeceased by her husband, Paul Austin, and her mother, Margaret (Chuck) Chadwick.
The family wishes to thank the staff of The Legacy at English Station for their compassionate care for Sandy since 2021, and the staff of Hosparus Health, both of Louisville.
Funeral services are at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 Kilgore Ave, Muncie, In. Visitation is 11am-1pm on Tuesday, January 6th, followed by a service at 1pm, with Rev. Kate Muhlbaier officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Sandy to either the Alzheimer’s Association, or Hosparus Health-Louisville.
