Sheila R. (Iverson) Austin
October 30, 1942 - March 15, 2015
Needham, Massachusetts
passed away on March 15, 2015.
Family:
She left behind Roger W. her devoted husband of 52 years;
her children, Craig E. Austin and Brian W. Austin;
her twin sister, Sandra E. (Iverson) Preble;
her niece and nephews, Heidi A. Garrison, Dana E. Preble, and Todd R. Preble, and
a grand nephew, Scott Garrison.
Life:
Sheila was born in Marseilles, IL to Arla and Edward Iverson.
She and her sister didn't know their father in the first years of their lives since he was in Belgium serving in the Army during WW II, repairing bombers.
She and her sister grew up in the Marseilles, then made the move east to Massachusetts where they worked at the Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association. There, she met Roger Austin, and married on September 29, 1963.
Her biggest concern was for her family, along with her sister's family living back in Illinois. For many years, the family traveled by road to Illinois, almost never the same way twice. A lot of America and Canada was seen that way, including a long trip that took them to Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas 'on the way.' Other road trips included the maritime provinces of Canada and much of coastal eastern United States. Many trips also involved scenic trips on trains, such as Edaville's Christmas displays, Steamtown, and specially arranged excursions.
She volunteered most of her time in various ways. She helped at the Needham Science Center for over 30 years.
She often put together kits for classroom activities, transported large props for the numerous educational shows put on, and assisted at open houses and special science events. She also was a productive sewer, especially of quilts. She belonged to the Quinobequin Quilters Guild and a club at the Needham Senior Center. Numerous family, friends, and other people have received baby quilts (not always when the baby was still a baby) or larger quilts, usually tailored to the family in some way. She sewed doll clothes for Sharing, Inc., which were shipped to the southern United States and the Caribbean to be given to girls there. Her latest quilts were for animals at a local animal shelter. She was a member of Wisteria Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and was often seen at various Masonic functions, including the Norfolk Lodge Pancake Breakfast on July 4th. She and Roger were also members of the Sons of Norway and were active in First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Needham. She was also an active supporter of the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society.
One of her greater passions throughout life was trains. She and Roger were active members of the Mass. Bay Railroad Enthusiasts (MassBayRRE) and took occasional trips in the eastern United States by Amtrak. In addition to 'big trains,' they were involved with 'small trains' as well. They became involved in a Live Steam miniature railroad group called the Charlton Railroad, which ran on the Masonic Home grounds in Charlton for about 10 years.
This is where she learned to drive a locomotive. Later, they became members of Waushakum Live Steamers. This is where she regularly drove her own train, pulling passengers from a battery operated locomotive for the "Black Cat Candy Company."
Everywhere she went, she could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. She included people with no other plans in her own holiday dinners, making a different mix of guests each time. She was sometimes direct but never uncaring. She was always curious. She will be missed greatly.
Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave Needham
Masonic Hall, 1101 Highland Ave Needham
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, Shriners Hospitals for Children, New England Electric Railway Society, the Needham Science Center, or First Church of Christ, Scientist Needham.
October 30, 1942 - March 15, 2015
Needham, Massachusetts
passed away on March 15, 2015.
Family:
She left behind Roger W. her devoted husband of 52 years;
her children, Craig E. Austin and Brian W. Austin;
her twin sister, Sandra E. (Iverson) Preble;
her niece and nephews, Heidi A. Garrison, Dana E. Preble, and Todd R. Preble, and
a grand nephew, Scott Garrison.
Life:
Sheila was born in Marseilles, IL to Arla and Edward Iverson.
She and her sister didn't know their father in the first years of their lives since he was in Belgium serving in the Army during WW II, repairing bombers.
She and her sister grew up in the Marseilles, then made the move east to Massachusetts where they worked at the Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association. There, she met Roger Austin, and married on September 29, 1963.
Her biggest concern was for her family, along with her sister's family living back in Illinois. For many years, the family traveled by road to Illinois, almost never the same way twice. A lot of America and Canada was seen that way, including a long trip that took them to Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas 'on the way.' Other road trips included the maritime provinces of Canada and much of coastal eastern United States. Many trips also involved scenic trips on trains, such as Edaville's Christmas displays, Steamtown, and specially arranged excursions.
She volunteered most of her time in various ways. She helped at the Needham Science Center for over 30 years.
She often put together kits for classroom activities, transported large props for the numerous educational shows put on, and assisted at open houses and special science events. She also was a productive sewer, especially of quilts. She belonged to the Quinobequin Quilters Guild and a club at the Needham Senior Center. Numerous family, friends, and other people have received baby quilts (not always when the baby was still a baby) or larger quilts, usually tailored to the family in some way. She sewed doll clothes for Sharing, Inc., which were shipped to the southern United States and the Caribbean to be given to girls there. Her latest quilts were for animals at a local animal shelter. She was a member of Wisteria Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and was often seen at various Masonic functions, including the Norfolk Lodge Pancake Breakfast on July 4th. She and Roger were also members of the Sons of Norway and were active in First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Needham. She was also an active supporter of the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society.
One of her greater passions throughout life was trains. She and Roger were active members of the Mass. Bay Railroad Enthusiasts (MassBayRRE) and took occasional trips in the eastern United States by Amtrak. In addition to 'big trains,' they were involved with 'small trains' as well. They became involved in a Live Steam miniature railroad group called the Charlton Railroad, which ran on the Masonic Home grounds in Charlton for about 10 years.
This is where she learned to drive a locomotive. Later, they became members of Waushakum Live Steamers. This is where she regularly drove her own train, pulling passengers from a battery operated locomotive for the "Black Cat Candy Company."
Everywhere she went, she could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. She included people with no other plans in her own holiday dinners, making a different mix of guests each time. She was sometimes direct but never uncaring. She was always curious. She will be missed greatly.
Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave Needham
Masonic Hall, 1101 Highland Ave Needham
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, Shriners Hospitals for Children, New England Electric Railway Society, the Needham Science Center, or First Church of Christ, Scientist Needham.
Sheila R. (Iverson) Austin
October 30, 1942 - March 15, 2015
Needham, Massachusetts
passed away on March 15, 2015.
Family:
She left behind Roger W. her devoted husband of 52 years;
her children, Craig E. Austin and Brian W. Austin;
her twin sister, Sandra E. (Iverson) Preble;
her niece and nephews, Heidi A. Garrison, Dana E. Preble, and Todd R. Preble, and
a grand nephew, Scott Garrison.
Life:
Sheila was born in Marseilles, IL to Arla and Edward Iverson.
She and her sister didn't know their father in the first years of their lives since he was in Belgium serving in the Army during WW II, repairing bombers.
She and her sister grew up in the Marseilles, then made the move east to Massachusetts where they worked at the Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association. There, she met Roger Austin, and married on September 29, 1963.
Her biggest concern was for her family, along with her sister's family living back in Illinois. For many years, the family traveled by road to Illinois, almost never the same way twice. A lot of America and Canada was seen that way, including a long trip that took them to Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas 'on the way.' Other road trips included the maritime provinces of Canada and much of coastal eastern United States. Many trips also involved scenic trips on trains, such as Edaville's Christmas displays, Steamtown, and specially arranged excursions.
She volunteered most of her time in various ways. She helped at the Needham Science Center for over 30 years.
She often put together kits for classroom activities, transported large props for the numerous educational shows put on, and assisted at open houses and special science events. She also was a productive sewer, especially of quilts. She belonged to the Quinobequin Quilters Guild and a club at the Needham Senior Center. Numerous family, friends, and other people have received baby quilts (not always when the baby was still a baby) or larger quilts, usually tailored to the family in some way. She sewed doll clothes for Sharing, Inc., which were shipped to the southern United States and the Caribbean to be given to girls there. Her latest quilts were for animals at a local animal shelter. She was a member of Wisteria Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and was often seen at various Masonic functions, including the Norfolk Lodge Pancake Breakfast on July 4th. She and Roger were also members of the Sons of Norway and were active in First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Needham. She was also an active supporter of the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society.
One of her greater passions throughout life was trains. She and Roger were active members of the Mass. Bay Railroad Enthusiasts (MassBayRRE) and took occasional trips in the eastern United States by Amtrak. In addition to 'big trains,' they were involved with 'small trains' as well. They became involved in a Live Steam miniature railroad group called the Charlton Railroad, which ran on the Masonic Home grounds in Charlton for about 10 years.
This is where she learned to drive a locomotive. Later, they became members of Waushakum Live Steamers. This is where she regularly drove her own train, pulling passengers from a battery operated locomotive for the "Black Cat Candy Company."
Everywhere she went, she could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. She included people with no other plans in her own holiday dinners, making a different mix of guests each time. She was sometimes direct but never uncaring. She was always curious. She will be missed greatly.
Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave Needham
Masonic Hall, 1101 Highland Ave Needham
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, Shriners Hospitals for Children, New England Electric Railway Society, the Needham Science Center, or First Church of Christ, Scientist Needham.
October 30, 1942 - March 15, 2015
Needham, Massachusetts
passed away on March 15, 2015.
Family:
She left behind Roger W. her devoted husband of 52 years;
her children, Craig E. Austin and Brian W. Austin;
her twin sister, Sandra E. (Iverson) Preble;
her niece and nephews, Heidi A. Garrison, Dana E. Preble, and Todd R. Preble, and
a grand nephew, Scott Garrison.
Life:
Sheila was born in Marseilles, IL to Arla and Edward Iverson.
She and her sister didn't know their father in the first years of their lives since he was in Belgium serving in the Army during WW II, repairing bombers.
She and her sister grew up in the Marseilles, then made the move east to Massachusetts where they worked at the Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association. There, she met Roger Austin, and married on September 29, 1963.
Her biggest concern was for her family, along with her sister's family living back in Illinois. For many years, the family traveled by road to Illinois, almost never the same way twice. A lot of America and Canada was seen that way, including a long trip that took them to Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas 'on the way.' Other road trips included the maritime provinces of Canada and much of coastal eastern United States. Many trips also involved scenic trips on trains, such as Edaville's Christmas displays, Steamtown, and specially arranged excursions.
She volunteered most of her time in various ways. She helped at the Needham Science Center for over 30 years.
She often put together kits for classroom activities, transported large props for the numerous educational shows put on, and assisted at open houses and special science events. She also was a productive sewer, especially of quilts. She belonged to the Quinobequin Quilters Guild and a club at the Needham Senior Center. Numerous family, friends, and other people have received baby quilts (not always when the baby was still a baby) or larger quilts, usually tailored to the family in some way. She sewed doll clothes for Sharing, Inc., which were shipped to the southern United States and the Caribbean to be given to girls there. Her latest quilts were for animals at a local animal shelter. She was a member of Wisteria Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and was often seen at various Masonic functions, including the Norfolk Lodge Pancake Breakfast on July 4th. She and Roger were also members of the Sons of Norway and were active in First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Needham. She was also an active supporter of the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society.
One of her greater passions throughout life was trains. She and Roger were active members of the Mass. Bay Railroad Enthusiasts (MassBayRRE) and took occasional trips in the eastern United States by Amtrak. In addition to 'big trains,' they were involved with 'small trains' as well. They became involved in a Live Steam miniature railroad group called the Charlton Railroad, which ran on the Masonic Home grounds in Charlton for about 10 years.
This is where she learned to drive a locomotive. Later, they became members of Waushakum Live Steamers. This is where she regularly drove her own train, pulling passengers from a battery operated locomotive for the "Black Cat Candy Company."
Everywhere she went, she could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. She included people with no other plans in her own holiday dinners, making a different mix of guests each time. She was sometimes direct but never uncaring. She was always curious. She will be missed greatly.
Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave Needham
Masonic Hall, 1101 Highland Ave Needham
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, Shriners Hospitals for Children, New England Electric Railway Society, the Needham Science Center, or First Church of Christ, Scientist Needham.
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