Cintra Shober Austin's Obituary
Cintra Shober Austin, known as Sister Cintra Pemberton in the Episcopal Order of Saint Helena, age 78, died peacefully at The Place in Martinez on Sunday, September 28, 2014.
Cintra was born in New Orleans on October 10, 1935. Before entering the convent she was married and raised a family. With an MA degree and an academic background in history and music history, she taught for many years at St. Martin's Episcopal School and Louisiana State University in New Orleans.
Cintra entered the religious life in 1977, making her life profession in 1982. She was recognized nationally and internationally as an outstanding leader of spiritual programs and pilgrimages to Celtic countries, the Holy Land, and Turkey. Cintra served on the Leadership Council and Board of Directors of the Order. She was a Trustee of the Margaret Hall Foundation Board, Lexington KY; the Board of Visitors, Kanuga Conferences, Henderson NC; and boards of other organizations in the US and Wales.
She was convener of the Order's committee which produced an inclusive language version of the Psalms, and a complete Breviary for which she composed many antiphons and canticles in the Gregorian tradition. Cintra stressed the importance of remaining close to the language of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. She authored Soulfaring: Celtic Pilgrimage Then and Now, along with articles on spirituality. She was an exceptional photographer and communicator who loved life and retained her sense of humor to the end.
Cintra is survived by her daughter, Cintra "Pemmie" Austin Sheasby (Reynolds), daughter-in-law Elain Austin, four grandchildren; Paul William Mayronne (Cindy), Kathryn Mayronne Irving (Dan), John Brander Austin V (Quint), Elizabeth Austin Weber (John) and three great-grandchildren Hunter, Christian, and Lily; her sister, Mrs. Richard B. Fox (Jane) of New Orleans, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, John Brander Austin, Jr. and her parents John Bedford and Beatrice Moulton Shober, a brother and sister, John Bedford Shober Jr. and Beatrice Elizabeth Shober (Tete), and her former husband, the Rev. John B. Austin.
Gratitude is expressed to the staff at The Place in Martinez and Alliance Hospice for their care during her last years.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Memorial Service at Trinity Episcopal Church, 125 Church Ave, Pass Christian, MS 39571 on Wednesday, October 15th at 12:00 Noon with interment to follow at Live Oak Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Order of Saint Helena, 3042 Eagle Drive, Augusta GA 30906, or the American Friends of St. David's Cathedral, ℅ St. David's Episcopal Church, 5150 Macomb St NW, Washington D.C. 20016.
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