Centenarian

Barbara Austin

Spokane

Barbara Austin is celebrating her 100th birthday today. She was born May 29, 1907, in Tredegar, South Wales, Great Britain, and has been a resident of eastern Washington for 72 years.

Austin met her husband. Leslie Austin, on a blind date at a fair in Innisfree, Alberta. They were married in 1929.

Austin graduated from the London College of Music in 1922 before moving from Tredegar and taught piano in Innisfree. She says her most rewarding life achievement is that all of her children have done well.

Austin attributes her long and healthy life to hard work, a clean country life and her faith.

When asked what her most memorable moment has been, Austin spoke of her first automobile, a Model T Ford. She says it was much different than horses, and she remembers learning to drive it and traveling in it.

Austin has five children: Madaline Luher, Spokane; George Austin, Colbert; Josephine Smith, Indio, Calif.; Cecelia Scott, Peone Prairie; and the late Keith Austin; 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

– Rainey Coffin