Doris Austin Krasik

Please join the family of Doris Austin Krasik to celebrate her life and honor her memory on the 2nd anniversary of her yahrzeit Sunday, May 29, 2022 - 11:00 AM, Temple Israel, 3100 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43209. Zoom connection to be provided for those who cannot attend in person please email DorisAustinKrasik@gmail.com for link. Time will be available to share memories of Doris if you would like to be included during the service or for details about the luncheon email DorisAustinKrasik@gmail.com

Doris Austin Krasik, age 76, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio.

Adoring grandmother, devoted mother, educator, naturally gifted pianist, aspiring children’s writer, supporter of local arts, avid sports fan, large dog lover, loyal friend and loving spouse.

Creative, intelligent, witty and gracious, Doris was raised in Fredericktown, PA. She lived with tragedy from a young age, losing her eldest brother, Edward, in the Korean War. Doris met her future husband, Ralph, during high school and they attended Marietta College together, where she was active in theater and studied communications and Spanish. Married after college, the couple moved to Columbus, remaining for nearly 50 years and raising a family. Doris and Ralph lived in various areas of the city, including Bexley, Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2015.

Doris was a devoted mother -- imaginative, patient, funny, and warm—and she took several years off work to dedicate her talents to raising two children. Her greatest pride was raising her children and she was passionate about their formation and education.

A natural and enthusiastic teacher, Doris began teaching at Columbus’ Alexander Graham Bell School for the Deaf and then received her Master’s Degree from The Ohio State University. Years later, she returned to the classroom as a permanent substitute teacher in the Upper Arlington City School District, bringing her trademark humor and dedication to her students.

Doris was a devoted partner to her husband, helping him to build various businesses in Columbus, and caring for Ralph as he lived with Parkinson’s Disease until he passed away in 2016. Doris was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the last year of her life.

Fascinated by history and exploring new places, Doris traveled throughout the United States and Canada. As her childred studied, traveled and worked internationally, she traveled with them to Israel, Jordan, Italy, Russia, Germany, Belgium and Peru.

Doris volunteered her time with a range of organizations — the Columbus Zoo, National Organization of Jewish Women, Columbus Art Museum, CATCo and the YWCA Family Center. She sang in Temple Israel’s choir and taught at the Religious School, when her children were school-aged.

She was a loyal baseball fan and loved sports, especially the Columbus Clippers, New York Yankees, Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, and her original “hometown” team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. She will be remembered by friends and family for her love of animals, especially her sheepdogs – Andy, Patchet, Brandy, Ruff and Sophie – big in size and personality.

Doris’ greatest joy and motivation was her granddaughter, Anya, who brought endless laughter and love, especially at the end of her life when Doris endured numerous acute health conditions. She loved children and wrote countless children’s stories and original songs to entertain Anya, her children, her students, and friends.

Doris Austin Krasik is survived by her daughter Erin Austin Krasik, daughter-in-law Jumana Dalal and granddaughter, Anya, of Lima, Peru; son Ryan Austin Krasik of St. Louis, MO; sisters-in-law Wilma (Tom) Dalton of Lynnfield, MA; Davida (David) Rosen of Bellevue, WA; and Sue Ann Austin of Newington, CT. She is preceded in death by her parents Jacob and Fannie Austin; brothers Milton Austin and Edward Austin; parents-in-law Willard and Rosalie Krasik; and her husband, Ralph Krasik.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Doris’ name to the Parkinson’s Foundation www.parkinson.org or Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research www.michaeljfox.org.