Ann Austin

AUSTIN – Ann Jeannine (nee Sumbler), age 92 of Potsdam, NY passed away on May 27, 2024 at the United Helpers Rehab and Senior Care Facility. Jeannine, as she was known, was born on February 18, 1932 in Plattsburgh NY where she grew up, attended St. John’s Academy and received her certificate as a teacher of homemaking from SUNY Teachers College at Plattsburgh. After jobs as a teacher in the Brasher Falls and Colton-Pierrepont School Districts, she married Robert E. Austin on August 6th, 1956. She then applied her time, talent, and treasure to raising her family of 6 children and maintaining her household. She was known as a homemaker extraordinaire with particular talents for sewing, baking, landscaping and meal planning for family gatherings. She also enjoyed skiing at Big Tupper and spending summers with the family on the St. Lawrence River. Once the children were grown, she worked as a real estate broker/agent for a number of agencies including Century 21 and Plumley. Jeannine was predeceased by her parents Arthur James Sumbler, Sr. and Francis (McKillip) Sumbler, and her sister Celeste Hyzer. Jeannine is survived by her husband Robert E. Austin; children Mark (Mary Henault), Steven (Diane), James, Ann (Michael) Sullivan, Robert (Marie Bodack), and Amy (James Papayanakos) Austin; brothers Arthur James “AJ” (Joan Butler) Sumbler, Jr. and Scott (Kristen) Sumbler; 8 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. There will be a mass of Christian burial for Jeannine on Friday, May 31st at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s church in Potsdam with the Rev. Joseph Giroux celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the Garner Funeral Service on Thursday, May 30th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jeannine’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.