Clara Austin (Ravenscroft)'s Obituary
Obituary for Clara (Ravenscroft) Austin
April 26, 1935 – April 7, 2025
Clara was born in 1935 to William “Bill” and Mildred (Meyers) Ravenscroft in Leeds, Missouri, near Kansas City. She was the fourth child and first daughter. Nicknamed “Peaches”, she wanted to do everything her brothers did. In high school, she participated in the Olympians, the sports organization for girls, playing softball, tennis, basketball, and field hockey. Clara went to Kansas City annually for an Olympian reunion and to visit family.
In 1953, five months after graduating from high school, Clara married, Keith Austin, the “boy next door”. Since Keith was in the Navy, they moved immediately to Rhode Island – leaving her family and everything she had known. Three years later, Keith transferred from the Navy to the Air Force.
Keith and Clara had three children - Nancy Gemignani (Steven), Janet Austin (Rick Boggs) and Keith Austin Jr. (Angela).
Clara and the kids followed Keith from Air Force base to base throughout the U.S., living in 32 different houses in 10 different states staying just six months to two years in any one place. At every base, Clara was active in the base community as a seamstress, as a member of the NCO Wives Club, golfing, and taking the kids to see the local sights. The family would regularly go camping.
Keith retired in 1975 and they bought their final home in North Highlands, California. Clara lived there for 53 years. She became the librarian at Orchard Elementary School in Rio Linda for 15 years. Even today, people would come up and say they remembered her and how much they enjoyed her activities and reading to them.
In 1978, Clara, Keith, and their daughter, Janet, earned their Associate of Arts degree and walked the graduation stage together. Nancy received her BA from UC, Davis the same week. Janet later received her BA and MA from UC, Davis.
They joined Hillsdale Blvd Baptist Church in 1985. Clara taught Sunday School and served on the Financial Management Team. She even taught classes in personal finances.
Clara was an excellent golfer and a Red Hatter. She was a talented painter and artist. Keith, the woodworker, built toys for Toys for Tots and Clara would paint them. Keith and Clara spent several summers as camp hosts at Antelope Lake in the Plumas National Forest. She joined a ladies investment club to continue her financial education.
One of her greatest delights was becoming a grandma to Brittany and Jordan Austin and great-grandma to Riley Austin.
When Keith was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2009, Clara cared for him at home until he passed away in April 2016.
Clara is survived by her daughter, Nancy, and son, Keith, her grandchildren, great grandchild, her sister, Susie Nawaz of Missouri, and numerous nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her husband, Keith, her daughter, Janet, her grandchild, Payton, her parents, and her brothers, Bill, Al, Bruce, and Ted “Butch” Ravenscroft. She also has many friends who will miss her deeply.
Clara will be remembered in our hearts forever.
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