On Dec. 31, 2019, Sharon Lee (Slaght) Austin, 77, died peacefully in her home in Twisp.
She was born July 10, 1942, the third of eight children born to Marvin and Phyllis Slaght. She grew up at the base of Mt. Si near Snoqualmie, Washington, and spent summers as a teenager in the Methow Valley. This is where she met and married David Austin.
Together they raised their three children in the Carnation/Fall City, Washington, area. Sharon worked in the home for several years before going back to school and ultimately securing a job with SeaLand Shipping. In addition, Sharon also was a volunteer firefighter/EMT in Carnation, Washington, for several years. After she retired from SeaLand, Sharon and Dave sold their home and committed to RV traveling full-time. After several years of traveling throughout the southwest and northwest, they settled permanently in Twisp in 2005.
Sharon is survived by her husband, David Austin of Twisp, and her three children, Stan and Erin Austin of Portland, Oregon, Shari (Austin) Graham and Mike Graham of Townsend, Montana, and Sheila (Austin) White and partner Buddy Rivera of Burien, Washington, along with grandchildren Amber (AJ) Johnson, Cassandra (Justin) Mitchell, Dustin (Shelby) Hutson, Alec Austin, Davis Austin, Briana White, Brandon White, Kaleb Shelton, Krizma Shelton and Chandelle Shelton and five great-grandchildren. Sharon is also survived by two brothers and three sisters. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Arlene Hautula and brother Larry Slaght.
Sharon and Dave were married nearly 60 years and remained best friends and sweethearts until her death. Her positivity and support was never-ending and enduring and she will be missed. The family will be celebrating her life and mourning her passing privately and ask that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Aero Methow Rescue Service or The Lookout Coalition.
