LEWISTON – Ruth Arlene Austin, 89, passed away peacefully Monday night, May 9, at Russell Park Residential Care, where she lived happily for the past two years.

Born in Concord, on Nov. 20, 1915, the daughter of Ida Bell and Yon Thompson, she attended schools in Bingham, Portland, and also attended the Howard Seminary in Bridgewater, Mass.

On Aug. 12, 1933, she married Ralph W. Coburn, and they hitchhiked to Patten to begin their life together. They had four sons.

On Dec. 11, 1946, she married Lloyd A. Austin, who predeceased her in 1967. They adopted a daughter. They were also foster parents for several area youth.

During World War II, she worked as a spot welder building ships and later worked at area factories.

She retired from Forster Manufacturing Co. in 1977.

She enjoyed traveling, bus tours, camping at Dummers Beach in Weld, country western concerts, local suppers, playing cards, crosswords, shopping, going for rides and senior citizens.

She is survived by her sons, Arthur Coburn and wife, Nancy of Trenton, Fla., Roger Coburn of Florida, Robert Coburn of Morganton, N.C., and Royce Coburn and wife, Lesley, of Greene; daughter, Patty Judd of Livermore Falls; 11 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She loved and was loved by the staff and residents at Russell Park Residential Care, where she was given excellent, loving care the last years of her life.

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