Irene "Rene" Mariner Austin

Irene “Rene” Mariner Austin, 76, passed away on June 20, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Jefferson, Maine from Alzheimer’s complications. She was surrounded by loved ones at the time she passed.

Rene was born on January 20, 1947 to John and Irene (Owens) Mariner in Florence, South Carolina. In 1974, she met the love of her life, Charles “Chuck” Martin Austin, and they married the same year in Phoenix, Arizona. They eventually settled in Snowflake, Arizona to raise their family.

Her passion for sewing blossomed into a successful career as professional seamstress. Whether flannel pajama pants, a wedding dress, or Broadway costumes, Rene gave the same dedicated attention to each project. She volunteered her time and skills for school and community theater costumes, choir dresses and robes, missionary clothing, and so much more. In later years, she found a new outlet in making quilts and her family and friends were beneficiaries of her beautiful work. 

An active and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints her entire life, Rene joyfully served her family, neighbors, and community and was called as a Senior Missionary in the Poland Warsaw mission from 2010-2011. Her sweetness, humor, and overall goodness will be sorely missed by her many family members and friends.

Rene was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck; her daughter, Rebecca; two grandsons, Drake and Dawson; her mother, Irene; her father, John; and three brothers, John, Byron, and Michael.

She is survived by three sons, Daniel Austin of Provo, Utah, Nathan Austin of Heber, Arizona, Benjamin (Kim) Austin of Mapleton, Minnesota; four daughters, Rachel (Michael) Bethea of Jefferson, Maine, Amanda (Jeff) Nees of Snowflake, Arizona, Julie Austin of Augusta, Maine, Kathryn (John Ryan) Barr of Willcox, Arizona; her dad, E. Clarence Davis; two sisters, Barbara Sollars and Starr (Dan) Nicholas; two brothers, Ernest (Lois) Mariner and Terry Smith; 15 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The funeral service will begin 2:00 PM Saturday, July 1, 2023, at the Centennial Snowflake Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 9th S. 2nd West, Snowflake, Arizona. The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the R.V. "Mike" Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake.

To watch the funeral virtually please use this link:   https://meet.goto.com/363004061