On February 26, the RPMDA shared the following sad news:
It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news of the death of RPMDA past president Laurie Austin at her home in Portland, Oregon, on February 22.
Laurie had a distinguished career in the music industry. She served on the RPMDA board for many years and led the organization through many positive changes as president from 2000 to 2002, always with dedication, grace, and a sense of humor.
She rose through the ranks at Heid Music in Appleton, Wisconsin before moving to Portland to open her own interior design and giftware shop, Please Be Seated, where her gifts for visual marketing were fully realized. Laurie later became an etiquette coach and personal chef.
She is survived by her sister Lisa Berghuis of Washougal, Washington.
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