Hope S. Augustine of 133 Pratt Street, formerly of Ives Hill Retirement Center, died Sunday, March 5th at Samaritan Keep Nursing Home at the age of 99.
She was the widow of the late Frank P. Augustine, former editorial page editor of the Watertown Daily Times.
Hope taught seventh grade English and reading at Case Junior High School in Watertown from 1965 to 1979 and the seventh and eighth grades in Gabriels, NY in 1941 and 1942. She also operated a pre-school for several years at their home on upper Boyd Street in the 1950’s.
Born April 5, 1917 in Gabriels, NY, Hope was the daughter and oldest of six children of the late Hardy A. Sweet and Coral S. Sweet who owned a dairy farm and commercial dairy for many years in Harrietstown near Saranac Lake. She graduated in 1935 as salutatorian from Saranac Lake High School and in 1939 from New York State College for Teachers at Albany where she and Frank met.
They were married on October 25, 1941 in Harrietstown, NY and were married 61 years until Frank’s death in 2002.
Hope was a member of Case Junior Retired Teachers, Watertown Morning Musicales, the Gamma Circle and Board of Deacons of Emmanuel Congregational Church.
Her passions were classical music, English history, pastry baking (her apple pie was legendary in the family) and reading- especially biography and historical fiction. She once said her dream for retirement was to sit in a chair with a pile of books beside her and as fast as she finished one book, she’d like another one slipped under the pile.
When she resumed teaching in 1965 Hope studied nights via extension through SUNY at Potsdam to complete her recertification requirements while working full time and maintaining her home. Her family was tremendously proud of this accomplishment and the sacrifices she made to achieve it.
Hope had an active retirement which included travels with Frank to Italy in the 1980’s, winters in Florida and visits to her children in California, Chicago, and North Carolina over the years. She was also the editor for Frank’s book “La Bella America” published by the Watertown Daily Times about Italian Americans in the North Country. She served as his secretary throughout the project and edited his manuscript in all stages.
Hope attributed her longevity to her upbringing in the Adirondack Mountains and being of what she termed “hearty mountain stock.” When she turned 90 she announced that she was on the 20 year plan. Although she didn’t achieve that goal, she nevertheless had a wonderful life.
She is survived by her son Paul A. Augustine, daughter-in-law Cindy Augustine and granddaughter Ashley Augustine of Batavia, Illinois; daughter Jane A. Simpson of Charlotte, North Carolina; granddaughter Lisa Scully of Henderson, granddaughter Michelle and her husband Edward Rael of Fountain, Colorado; grandson Craig Fowler and his wife Jennifer of Las Vegas, Nevada; great grandchildren Kayla and Megan Scully, Joshua and Shelby Fowler and Courtney and Jeffrey Rael.
She is also survived by a brother David P. Sweet of North Port, Florida and sister Gloria Warren of Bartow, Florida.
Hope was predeceased by a daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) Fowler who died in 2014, sisters Shirley Callaghan and Marjorie Sweet and brothers Richard A. Sweet and Hardy (Bud) Sweet.
Services will be held at a later date convenient to her family.
Arrangements are with the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home, Watertown.
Condolences may be made online at www.reedbenoit.com