Jennette R. Austin

Verona/Chemung-Jennette R. Austin, 78, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 4. 2023, with the love and support of her family at her side, at the home of her daughter, Claudine.

Jennette was born in Vernon Center on November 14, 1944, the daughter of the late Wayne and Ruth Deal Russell.  Jennette’s father Wayne, died in combat during WW II.  She grew up in the Vernon Center-Knoxboro area.  Jennette attended school  in Knoxboro, and later graduated from Madison High School. Jennette furthered her education by attending Houghton College and Columbia University, earning her degree as Registered Nurse.  On April 27, 1968, she married Alan Austin.  They raised two beautiful daughters, Jennifer and Claudine, and their loving union lasted 50 years, until Alan’s passing in 2018.  Jennette retired as a Registered Nurse in 1996, with 30 years of service with Oneida City Hospital.  She had previously been a teacher for Oneida Madison BOCES Nursing Program.  Jennette held her deep Christian faith and was a devoted member of the Plymouth Alliance Church. For many years she had been a Sunday School teacher at the church.  She was an excellent seamstress, and throughout her children’s youth, all their clothes were hand made.  Her knitting needles were always busy.  She created many beautiful items for family and people in need.  Jennette lived her life by her Christian faith in service of others, but most of all, her love of her family will remain with all.

She is survived by her beloved daughters and their husbands, Claudine and Dale Campbell of Chemung, and Jennifer and Steve Hollingshead of Dawsonville, GA. Her cherished grandchildren: Breanna (Nicholas) Saraceno, Shannon (Noah) Green, Meagan Campbell and Brendan Campbell; her beloved and cherished great granddaughter, Leia Saraceno.  Her siblings: Wayne (Jean) Russell of Vernon Center, Winston (Suzette) Hayward of Knoxboro, Maveret (Craig) Umstead of Knoxboro, and Henrietta Sterle of Eaton; her in-laws: Marilyn Romano, Kathy Austin, Gerald Austin, Mark (Julie) Austin, Jonny (Donna) Austin, Debra (Dale) Klein, and Pamela Austin.  Jennette is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins , and her beloved church family.

Jennette was predeceased by her parents Wayne and Ruth, along with her beloved step dad, Robert Hayward, her mother-in-law, Wanda Austin and father-in-law, Carl Austin, and her brothers-in-law William Austin, Richard Austin, Lawrence Austin, Orestes (Ted) Vlahos, Tony Romano, and Marvin Mininger, sister-in-laws Irene Mininger and Maureen Austin.

 Her visitation will be held on Friday from 4-7 pm, at the Coolican-McSweeney & Paul Funeral Home, 322 Washington Avenue in Oneida..  Her funeral will be conducted on Saturday at 11 AM from the Plymouth Alliance Church in Sherrill with the Reverend Neil Coe, officiating. Interment will be in Vernon Center Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Plymouth Alliance Church or Delta Lake Bible Conference Center.   Personal and professional care is being provided to Jennette and her family by Jeffrey T. Paul, Director, of the Coolican-McSweeney & Paul Funeral Home. To offer a condolence or view the full obituary, please visit: coolican-mcsweeney.com 

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