AUGUSTA — Barbara I. Austin, 76, of South Woodard Road, died Thursday, January 17, 2013 at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta.

She was born in Hallowell on March 6, 1936, the daughter of Sumner and Clara (Pitcher) Austin.

Barbara graduated from Hallowell High School and Gates Business College. She had worked at McLellans Department Store in Augusta before working for Depositors Trust, later known as Key Bank. She had also worked for John Hancock Insurance, Bankers Life Insurance, Allstate Insurance and most recently for the Maine State Department of Labor, retiring in 2001.

Barbara was an avid reader who enjoyed the company of family and friends. She loved animals, especially her cats Sooley and Keezer.

She was predeceased by her parents; a brother Sumner “Skip” Austin and a sister Judy Austin.

She is survived by a brother James Austin of Albion; 3 sisters Beverly Austin, Bette Taylor and Jackie Austin, all of Augusta; a niece Staci Roberts of Smithfield; nephews Donald Austin of Lillington, NC, Tony Austin of Augusta and James Austin of Winterport; her cousins Phyllis Violet, June Perry, Philip White, Sunny White and Bonnie White; also several great nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends.

There will be no visiting at this time. A graveside service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery in the spring.

Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, One Church Street, Augusta, where condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.