Leah Virginia Austin

CONCORD, VT- Leah Virginia Shores Austin, 93, of Main Street, died Tuesday January 27, 2009, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, St. Johnsbury.

Mrs. Austin was born in Granby, Vermont, on August 11, 1915 a daughter of Ceylon and Sallie (Hodgdon) Shores.

In 1954 Leah opened the first community maternity home in Concord, VT. She then went on to become a LPN, working for Weeks Medical Center for several years. After retirement she became a realtor, working with Otis Goss in Danville, VT. For a time she was a driver for RCT and until a month ago she worked at the Gilman Senior Center.

Leah enjoyed scrap booking, collecting coins, painting and traveling. She was also involved with the Concord Historical Society and was the co-author of the book, Thru the woods, down the river, over the hill, written about the history of Granby, VT.

Family members include two sons Stephen E. Austin and Donald F. Austin both of Concord, VT, two daughters Joyce A. Willey of Granby and Hilda A. Lazott of Lunenburg; 21 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild, three sisters Ruth Noble and Beverly Shores both of Granby and Edith Willson of N. Concord, VT, a brother Guy Shores of St. Johnsbury and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by, her husband S. Freeman Austin in 1984, a sister Sandra Morehouse and a grandson Joel Willey.

Visiting hours will be held Saturday January 31, from 5-7 PM, at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A graveside service will be held in the spring at the Concord Village Cemetery, Concord, VT.

In lieu of flowers donations maybe made in her memory to the Concord Historical Society, c/o Kathy Fisher, 8 High Street, Concord, VT 05824 or a charity of one's choice.