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Margaret Ann Austin

Posted

September 16, 1940 to February 15, 2020

Margaret went to Heaven on February 15, 2020 due to complications of Congestive Heart Failure and Parkinson’s Disease. She was 79.

Margaret Ann Austin (Maggie) was born in Coffeyville, Kansas on September 16, 1940. She was the fourth daughter born to Willis and Rose Marie (Hirsch) Austin. Maggie grew up with her four sisters in Coffeyville.

Maggie graduated from the University of Kansas in 1962. She worked as a Chemist at the Kansas University Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Maggie moved to Colorado because she loved to ski. In addition to skiing she thoroughly enjoyed traveling around the world. She went on many trips with family and friends.

While in Denver she met John Calder who became her companion. Later they had a small business called Windworks where they made melodious bells and wind-chimes.

Maggie and John moved to Sun City in 1988. She became an active member of the Sun City Rock Hound club. Maggie was extremely knowledgeable about gems, minerals and rocks.

Although Maggie never had children of her own, she was very close to her nine nieces and nephews.

Maggie was preceded in death by her parents, her eldest sister, Marie (Austin) Steele, and her companion, John Calder.

She is survived by her sisters, Betty (Austin) Jackson, and Barbara (Austin) Cook; her nieces: Marsha (Steele) Westra, Jeanne (Reavis) Wheaton, Susan (Jackson) Festag, Sharon (Steele) Peterson, and Judy Jackson and their spouses; her nephews: Richard Steele, Robert Jackson, Thomas Reavis and Thomas Jackson and their spouses; many great-nieces and nephews; and her companion, Michael Blachut.

At Maggie’s request there will be no funeral nor memorial service. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation or Michael J. Fox Foundation.