AUSTIN, Texas – Established in 1967, Westminster holds the distinction of being Austin’s inaugural continuing care retirement community. Residents enjoy a range of amenities and a strategic location that meets their daily needs, but they also exemplify the idea that meaningful work and connections transcend age.
Alumni Connections at Westminster
As Austin High School graduates gather for reunions, the tradition of “Loyal Forever” resonates deeply within Westminster. This phrase, rich with decades of shared experiences, unites over 50 alumni who now call the retirement community home.
Graduates from the classes of the 1940s through the 1960s regularly reconnect and share nostalgic moments. Cynthia Leach, from the Class of ’66, played a pivotal role in initiating these reunions, celebrating their fourth gathering recently at Westminster.
Longtime friends Russ Butler and Carlene Jenkins, both from the Class of ’55, have known each other since childhood, progressing through elementary school, Austin High, and the University of Texas together, before rekindling their friendship in retirement.
Civic Engagement and Leadership
Two residents of Westminster exemplify that age is no barrier to continued impact. Judi Nudelman, a former IBM pioneer, reflects on her groundbreaking career and her commitment to empowering future generations through her nonprofit, Women in Neuroscience, which she founded in 2018.
Her organization collaborates with the University of Texas at Austin and Dell Medical School, successfully placing over 100 students in paid internships within neuroscience research and clinical settings. Nudelman’s advocacy was inspired by her late husband, Harvey, a neuroscientist who passed away from a rare neurological disease, motivating her to honor his legacy through her work.
Robbie Ausley, another dedicated resident, has devoted her life to activism, advocating for issues ranging from educational reform to women’s rights. With decades of service under her belt, Ausley remains a vital force within the United Methodist Church and continues her volunteer efforts, emphasizing intergenerational engagement.
Veteran Voices
Westminster is home to over 70 veterans, including Jean Youngstrom Diebolt, the community’s only female veteran. A former military nurse who served during the Vietnam War, Diebolt held the rank of Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps and was stationed at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base from 1969 to 1970.
Upon returning home, Diebolt expanded her medical career by spearheading initiatives to establish healthcare clinics in rural East Texas, focusing on serving uninsured and underserved populations. Her contributions continue to inspire within the veteran community at Westminster.
