Carrying on a Family Tradition: Judy Austin Leads Millcroft Choir with Heart

Judy Austin is following in her father’s musical footsteps as she directs the choir at Millcroft Living senior living community in Newark, Delaware. There, she leads residents in heartfelt songs performed at worship services and occasionally for audiences in the greater community.

Austin is well-acquainted with Millcroft, which is the place her parents, Bob and Jane Austin, called home until they passed away in 2022 and 2019, respectively. Austin, 76, is a former elementary school teacher and children’s choir director. Her longtime friend, Anne Sewell, is the accompanist at worship services at Millcroft and at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, where both ladies belong. Sewell invited Austin to lead Millcroft Choir when it first formed four years ago.

“Anne said to me one day, ‘One of the residents at Millcroft said they’d like to sing more often, so I thought I’d see if there’s any interest in getting a group together.’ I said, “If you’re going to play who’s going to direct?’” Austin was the perfect choice.

She was happy to step in to lead the choir because music is her passion and in her blood. Fifty years ago, her father founded The Minstrels, another singing group that she continues to lead and includes some members of the Millcroft Choir.

The Millcroft Choir rehearses weekly and sings one Sunday monthly at a worship service held at the senior living community. They also perform holiday and spring concerts with the Minstrels.

Millcroft residents Donna Draper, Tina Cooper, Karen Ronkartz, Patricia Brock, Jim McNeely and Mike Schauber are happy to be part of the group, which helps keep them active and engaged. And singing.

“We get to share the music together as opposed to singing alone in the bathtub or shower,” Cooper says.

McNeely, who suffered a stroke in 2017, says singing with the group has improved his speaking voice and memory.

“It helps a lot,” he says.

Brock says the camaraderie the group offers means a lot to her.

“I like just being around people,” she says. “That’s why I joined this group.”

Praising the quality of the voices of the choir members, Austin welcomes the Millcroft residents to take part in the Minstrels, too, if they wish.

“My choir members learn all the Minstrels’ music, and they sing with us when we perform a show at Millcroft,” Austin says. “And some go with us when we sing at other senior living communities.”

Sewell says participants relish bringing their voices together in song.

“It’s healthy to get together and socialize and sing together. We have a lot of fun,” she says.

Millcroft Living

Nestled in a vibrant neighborhood in Newark, Delaware, Millcroft Living is a full-service, rental, continuing care retirement community offering independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation. Millcroft is managed by Life Care Services®. For additional information, visit MillcroftLiving.com or call 302/204-1088.