Cynthia Marie Birt-Austin

Cynthia Marie Birt-Austin, a resident of Westlake Village, California and Huntsville, Ontario, Canada, passed away from this world January 16, 2015, at the young age of 56, after a brief illness. This lovely and courageous lady, mother to Jack, Indiana, and Jett, and wife to Peter, loved life. Her focus and true passion was her family.

Born in Miami Florida to parents Jack and Margaret Birt, and raised with sisters Elizabeth and Jacqueline, Cynthia came to Los Angeles in 1985. She enjoyed a successful modeling career. Cynthia and Peter met while they were singing in a church choir in Studio City, and were married a year later on October 25, 1991. Cynthia had endless energy, and was also passionate about interior design, building and gardening – one of her favorite pastimes was doing lunch and breakfast with friends. Cynthia’s friends treasured her quiet steady friendship in impromptu lunches and many phone chats.

Cynthia contributed much to the architectural design of the California home, and of the Huntsville Ontario home. She proved to be highly skilled and spent countless hours on the interior and exterior designs. Many thought she could have a career in interior design, but Cynthia chose to take care of her family. Living in Huntsville, Ontario for a full year was the fulfillment of a lifetime for Cynthia – two donkeys in the barn, snow nine feet tall, temperatures of minus 30F only served to interest her even more. Taking three children to school at the lovely outdoor Tawingo College, and shepherding the kids to skiing or swim teams most every day, filled her time with love and joy. Cynthia fit right in with the great people of the small towns of Huntsville and Bracebridge.

Cynthia is survived by: husband Peter Dumond Austin, her three sons Jack Dumond Austin (13), and the 6 year old twins Indiana Dumond Austin, and Jett Dumond Austin. Her mother Margaret Birt lives in Florida, as do sisters Elizabeth McCabe (with husband Tim McCabe and children Justin, Amanda, Harrison, and Preston), and Jacqueline Staton (with husband Barry Staton and sons John and Chris). Her father Jack Birt predeceased Cynthia.

Cynthia had a strong belief in God and in the existence of a “next world”, where there is no pain and suffering. We hope we will all be together there again one day.