Vivian I. Austra

Vivian I. Austra, age 98 years, of Kingwood Township, NJ, passed away on Monday, July 3, 2023, at home surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Jersey City, NJ, July 14, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Violet (Grey) Bates. She grew up in Jersey City, NJ, and had previously resided in North Plainfield, NJ from 1964 -1994 and Hunterdon County, NJ since 1995.

She was a Dickinson High School, Jersey City, NJ alum. She then went on to graduate from the Barbizon Modeling School in New York City and, as a young woman, was featured as a print model in both Seventeen and Miss America Teen Life magazines.

Vivian was a homemaker and was also formerly employed by Prudential Insurance Company, Newark, NJ, Bamberger’s Department Store, and eventually Macy’s in Plainfield, NJ for twenty-five years, where she was proud to be designated as a Macy’s Ambassador.

In addition, she taught Sunday School for nineteen years in Jersey City, NJ, then at All Saints Episcopal Church, Scotch Plains, NJ, and finally The Church of the Holy Cross, North Plainfield, NJ. She was an American Cancer Society volunteer, and involved with her children’s local PTA as well.

She was predeceased by her husband, Martin R. Austra, in January of 2003; her grandson, Scott Austra in September of 1996; and her sister, Muriel Zellweger in 1982.

Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Iveta Austra of the Czech Republic, and Chris and Eileen Austra of Kingwood Township, NJ; her beloved grandson Christopher, and granddaughter Kelly and her husband Frank; her darling great-granddaughter, Ava Grey; as well as her nieces, Jane Zellweger Martucci and Debbie Stefano and their families.

At the request of the family, memorial services for Vivian will take place privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Vivian’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association-Greater NJ Chapter, 400 Morris Avenue, Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834.

Arrangements and cremation services are under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. For further information or to send an online condolence to the family, please visit her Tribute Wall at www.holcombefisher.com.