Patricia Austin

Patricia (Pat/Meme) Austin, 79, went to be with our Lord on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Patricia passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday after a lengthy illness.

Patricia was born in Cedar City Utah on September 20,1946 to Eston and Ruth (Kiser) Brown. She was raised in Santa Ana, California and it was there she met her first husband, Andrew Maglievaz, who was the last-minute substitute for a date. They bonded instantly and were married April 13, 1963, beginning her new life as a Navy wife. They shared nearly 48 years of marriage until his death in 2011. In 2024, she met and married Duane Austin bringing new companionship and joy into her life.

Patricia had a lifelong passion for helping her family, friends, and anyone passing through her life. That spirit of service began at Santa Ana Valley High School where she was active in student government advocating for her classmates. Afterwards as a Navy wife, she continued her commitment by serving with the Navy Wives Club and the “Helping Hands” branch of the Navy Relief Society, offering support to military families in need. In 1974, she began a career with Olan Mills Studios in Richmond Virginia. But in 1976, just when life seemed most promising, her husband was disabled by the first in a series of cancers associated with nuclear weapon testing exposures. The experience resulted in life-altering changes that shifted her focus back to a caregiver role and led the family to Oklahoma to be near her parents.

Determined to continue helping others, Patricia attended Oklahoma City Community College and earning an Occupational Therapy Assistant degree in 1989. This degree opened a door to a second career devoted to helping people with disabilities regain, develop, or maintain skills needed for daily living. She also became adept at guiding others through governmental program barriers to accessing these services. She would go on to work for the Oklahoma State Department of Human Services and a number of nursing homes in Oklahoma, Florida, and Mississippi until her retirement in 2003.

Patricia is survived by her husband Duane, sons Robert (Liz) and Richard (Tammy) Maglievaz, daughter Ruth (Frank) Horton, three grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. May her memory be a blessing to us all and her soul be granted peace.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the many people who supported and comforted Patricia during her illness. To Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, your prayers, visits, and steadfast support meant more than words can express. To Bess Overton with TOPS Conway, thank you for the care and attention you provided to her personal needs. And finally Jessica Urban with Cornerstone Caregiving, who remained by her side through the snow and ice storm in her final hours and ensured she was comfortable and cared for, your dedication will never be forgotten. Everyone’s love, kindness, and compassion made a profound difference in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you honor Patricia’s lifelong passion for helping others by giving your time to a local food pantry, soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or to someone in need. Continuing to “pay it forward” by helping others is the legacy she would cherish most.

To celebrate Patricia's life, a visitation will be held Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Smith Family Funeral Home Conway Chapel, 1751 Dave Ward Dr, Conway, Arkansas.