Melody "Mel" Sue Austin

Lyndonville, VT: Melody “Mel” Austin, age 68, passed away at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, Friday, January 30, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer with family by her side

Mel was born on October 17, 1957, in St. Johnsbury, Daughter to the late Eugene Alfred and Caroline Mary (Lefebvre) Charron. She grew up in Lyndonville and graduated from Lyndon Institute in the Class of 1975. Mel was bartender for nearly 33 years at the VFW Post 10038 in Lyndonville and truly enjoyed her job. She married Gary Austin on September 30, 1997, and shared 28 wonderful years together. Together they camped at Crystal Lake seasonally in Pageant Park for 15 years and enjoyed kayaking & fishing. She loved spending time with her grandkids, liked keeping a garden especially when the mosquitos weren’t biting. Most recently one of her favorite things to do at home was sit in her comfy chair, never missing the kid’s baking championship, and driving her Bronco when she was able

Mel was a quiet, simple person with a heart of gold always putting others first. Her greatest joy in life was her family and enjoyed her late dog, Brutus, that gave her much companionship.

She is survived by her husband, Gary and 5 beautiful children that she loved and was very proud of: Mark (Pauline), Kristin (Josh), Stacy (Christian), Angela (Peter), Nicholas (Lacey), her 4 super loving sisters: Donna, Dolores, Lori (Brian) and Lisa (Jeremy), along with many other family members too numerous to mention.

The family want to express Mel’s thankfulness for all the care she received at NVRH, DHMC, and Norris Cotton Cancer Center. While at NVRH, Mel received a knitted prayer shawl that moved her deeply and wished to further this endeavor. Anyone wishing to make donations in Mel’s memory can do so by contributing to the: Prayer Shawl Ministry, c/o NVRH, 1315 Hospital Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

A Graveside service will be held at 3PM on Monday June 15, 2026, at the Howland Cemetery, Burke Hollow Road in W. Burke, VT. There will be no calling hours at this time.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at guibordfh.com