Mary Frances Pearson Austin passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 7, 2015 surrounded by her loving family. She was our much-beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. The second of three children of Isaac and Irma Pearson, Mary Frances was born on October 26, 1927. She enjoyed a happy childhood on South Imperial Avenue, attended Brawley schools and made lifelong friends. She met the love of her life, James Austin, at 14 when the 1940 earthquake brought them together at Barbara Worth Jr. High. Her other passion in life was singing and she began performing and sharing her beautiful voice at a very early age. Music continued to guide her life as she attended Pomona College in Claremont, CA and sang in the Pomona College Choir and Women's Glee Club. She graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Following graduation, she pursued a successful singing career in Los Angeles and, on October 27, 1957, Mary Frances and Jim Austin were married in Arcadia, CA where her mother resided. The couple returned to Brawley to Mary's family home on South Imperial where they raised their daughters, Meredith and Julia. Jim maintained his apiary business while Mary Frances obtained a teaching credential and became a substitute teacher. She also continued her artistic pursuits, creating many beautiful drawings, portraits and photographs for her home and others as well as performing with the Imperial Valley Symphony Orchestra and for various organizations and events. Mary Frances and Jim shared many activities together - Porsche rallies, jazz festivals, high school travel reunions, annual anniversary trips to Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona, Arizona, and weekly dinner groups with their friends. She was an avid bird watcher and enjoyed identifying birdsong. She felt that birds were nature's embodiment of beauty and music. Mary Frances enjoyed traveling with her sister, Marjory, and her mother. She also remained very close to her college friends, meeting every quarter until her passing. A major stroke in 2007 drastically altered her life and since then Mary Frances has courageously persevered to make the most of her years with Jim by her side. Most important to Mary have been her beloved husband, daughters and grandchildren and she has inspired their lives with her creativity, artistry, imagination, generosity, laughter and love. Words cannot express how very deeply she will be missed and how exceedingly grateful we are to have been given the gift of her love. Mary Frances was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Marjory Galbally. She is survived by her devoted husband, Jim Austin, her brother and his wife, Terry and Anne Pearson of Palos Verdes Estates, CA, her daughters, Meredith Austin (Paul Schwab) of Poway and Julia Austin (Don Foster) of Escondido, her grandchildren, Daniel Schwab, Anna Schwab and Laura Schwab and 23 nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held Sunday, November 22 at 11 a.m. at Frye Chapel in Brawley. In lieu of flowers and in recognition for the compassionate care she received at Pioneers Memorial Hospital, the family suggests that donations can be made in her name to the Women's Auxiliary of PMH or the .