Edith Austin Cary, age 97, born December 3, 1918, in Denmark, Ohio, to Olive (Avery) and John Austin died February 7, 2016, at the home her husband built for her on the old Austin farm along the Ashtabula Gulf.  Her paternal ancestors founded Austinburg, Ohio.

She attended Plymouth's one-room schoolhouse, graduated from Ashtabula High School in 1935 at age 16, and completed her studies at Ashtabula Business College.  She worked as a secretary at Payne Bros. Hardware until her marriage to Robert P. Cary on June 2, 1940.

She was a former member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church, the Harbor Methodist Church, and was a current member of the Second Congregational Church.  She belonged to several canasta and bridge clubs and the Ashtabula Dance Club.  She and her husband were benefactors of several charities, most notably the Berea Children's Home.  For many years, Edith and Bob vacationed in their Ft. Lauderdale and Stuart, Florida, homes.

She is survived by her children, Richard (Daisy) Cary of Arizona; Susan (Jeffrey) Leist of Concord; Debra Cary of Saybrook; and Denise (Alan) Schiff of Pepper Pike; grandsons, Jason Cary; Kent Sinkler; Evan Tobias; Kyle (Betsy) Sinkler; and Matthew Schiff; great-grandson, Logan Cary; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Cary and Rowena (Dick) McAdoo; former son-in-law, Scot Sinkler; her best friend since infancy, Eleanor Keener; and many loving nephews and nieces, including Beverly DeGregorio, who was like a daughter to her.

She was preceded in death by her husband; granddaughter, Erika Sinkler; siblings, Edgar (Evelyn) Austin; Laura Walker; and Raymond (June) Austin.

The family is indebted to Hospice of the Western Reserve and Mom's private caregivers, Amy Jakolew; JoAnne Tobias; Sandi Whitlock; Jennia Williams; and Betty Winters, whose kindness and friendship are unparalleled.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00 A. M. at the Ashtabula Home of Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory, 526 W. Prospect Rd., Ashtabula, with Pastor Gaius Forlu of the New Hope Pentecostal Church officiating.  Burial will be in Ridgeview Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Saturday from 10-11 A. M. at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 1166 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, OH  44004 or at www.hospicewr.org.  Visit fleming-billman.com for obituary, express condolences light a candle or send flowers.  Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors is honored to serve the Edith Cary family.

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