Nancy Austin, age 69, writer and artist of Niles Il passed away suddenly at home on Dec 15th 2022. 

Born September 26, 1953 in Chicago to Fletcher and Mary Ellen Austin, she grew up in Glenview, Il., attended New Trier West High School, art school in Minneapolis, and graduated from University of Illinois. 

Nancy suffered with severe Lupus for almost twenty years and developed several other serious medical conditions associated with this. Despite having to battle through many difficult hospitalizations over the years, she maintained her courage, sense of humor and positive attitude throughout. Although disabled in recent years, she had previously worked as an editor for Irving-Cloud Publishing; as an administrative assistant in Pediatric Endocrinology for the Northshore system; and in public relations for Evanston hospital. 

She was active in her church group at OLPH parish in Glenview, and also in other local support groups, and made many friends through these activities. Her neighbor Les Kisielica was a devoted and dependable friend and invaluable source of help for her. She also maintained contact with close friends of her youth and college days. These devoted friends were a great source of comfort to her. 

Her greatest passion though, was her writing and art. She published several romance novels under the pseudonym of Miranda North. She was working on a children’s fantasy novel, and had created a series of wonderfully detailed pen and ink line drawings for this.

She was a lover of nature, natural history and anthropology, and especially loved vacationing in the north woods of Wisconsin. Driving the byways of Wisconsin with her was an experience - always hilarious and sometimes (mildly) terrifying, but always memorable. She exemplified the spirit of jocular byplay, whether a rope fight, a game of beachball, picnics at picnic point, spotlighting fish, running from raccoons, or bringing a generous supply of wigs for the family to wear around the cabin. Unforgettable, but I guess you had to be there… I know her friends would have many similar memories to share.

Memorial services will be held at 11:30 am April 15th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glenview IL. A post service memorial get together is planned, but the venue has not been established as yet - we’ll post it here as soon as we know. (Facebook: Nancy Austin Memorial)