Dorothy Ann Heath Austin

7/9/1957-2/12/2011

Born in Santa Barbara, CA, to Dr. & Mrs. Warren Austin she grew up at the “Val Verde” estate in Montecito. Early education included graduating with honor from the Bishop’s School in La Jolla. She attended Dominican University in San Rafael, Ca and continued studies in Europe including Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and photography in Florence. Her travel interests continued throughout her life and covered the globe wide and far. In recent years her young daughter Pearl Mudd has been her travel companion on many trips.

Dorothy has maintained a home on Orcas Island WA. for many years after being introduced to the San Juan Islands as a young teen. Her parents vacationed on Orcas and Dorothy spent summers at Four Winds Camp in Deer Harbor on Orcas. In 1969 Dr. Austin started Canoe Island French Camp Dorothy is remembered for her input on the buildings and landscaping of the camp.

Dorothy was a lifelong avid artist and photographer. She was complex, extraordinarily generous (to a fault), difficult, beautiful, fun, loving, caring, wildly creative, prolific, productive, flamboyant, passionate, curious, avid, demanding at times, spoiled, elegant, independent, observant, and more. She was an ardent activist for nature and spent much time and money on environmental issues especially in the San Juan Islands.

Dorothy’s struggle with breast cancer complications ended Feb 12th in hospice care.
A celebration of life memorial is planned for April 17th in Westsound on Orcas Island.

[More details and other events as the date gets closer available by clicking HERE ]

Donations can be made to an account at Key Bank in Eastsound WA, 98245 . for Pearl Mudd’s University education fund.

Condolence cards can be sent to: Sharon Mudd, 114 Michael Lane Eastsound, WA. 98245 USA