Glenda Lorraine Austin, of Hagerstown, MD, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 12, 2024, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's. She was 86.

Glenda was the oldest child of Glenn and Maxine Trace of Hagerstown. After her 1955 graduation from Hagerstown High, Glenda enrolled in Madison College, Virginia. By 1960, Glenda was living in New York City, where she met her future husband, Ray Austin, and together they had three children, Michael, Scott, and Anne.

Glenda's deep faith in God sustained her during life's best and harshest of times and ultimately called her to live a life fully invested in serving the church community and supporting her family.

As a single parent, our mother worked tirelessly to support us, often at great personal sacrifice. She worked as a bookkeeper at a variety of businesses over the years, always dedicating herself fully and going the extra mile.

She was a lifelong member of St. Ann Catholic Church and was at her best when in service to the Lord. She retired from her position as Office Manager at St. Ann Catholic Church in the early 2000's. Never being one to stop, Glenda graduated from Mount St. Mary's (Emmitsburg) a few years later, with a degree in Theology so she could minister to others, especially those in Roxbury Correctional Institution.

She volunteered countless hours on various church and secular committees, clubs and the church choir. Glenda was especially proud of her work with the Lioness Club. In 1998, she received the Washington County Most Wonderful Citizens Certificate of Merit. A testament to her generosity of spirit in caring for others.

Glenda was happiest when making those she loved feel happy and worthy. She was very thoughtful and never forgot a birthday or anniversary. You could always count on receiving one of "Glenda's special cards". Her favorite holiday was Christmas, and she always went all out with decorations and gift giving. She loved to sing, garden, sew, and took great pride in making her children's favorite dishes during holidays.

She is survived by her three children, Michael (Patty) Austin, Scott (Gwen) Austin, Anne Patterson Austin; her grandchildren, Jonathan, Sara, Jacob, Sydney, and Noah Austin, Cal and Walker Patterson; her sister-in-law, Monica Trace, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Glenda was greeted in heaven by her parents; her brother, Lawrence "Larry" Trace; her nephew, David Trace; her granddaughter, Alexis Austin; sister-in-law, Catherine Schaeffer; and two of her best, lifelong friends, Betty and Michaela.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 12:00pm Friday, December 20, 2024, at St. Ann Catholic Church, 1525 Oak Hill Ave., Hagerstown, MD with Msgr. J. Bruce Jarboe officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown, MD on Thursday, December 19, 2024, from 6-8pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Ann Catholic Church.