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Helen Brandow "Penny" Lemos Austin was born on May 12, 1923, in Stamford, Connecticut, to Beaulah Helen Brandow and Antonio Roberto Lemos She had one older brother Carlos. In Rye her family lived at 2 Blind Brook Lane. Helen was a Rye High School graduate, Class of 1943, and was attending Teachers College, Columbia University at time of enlistment.
She enlisted in May 20,1944 and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She served in the WAVES (for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) and did her initial training at Hunter College in the Bronx.
 Helen Lemos Joins WAVES
Miss Helen Lemos, 21years old, of 31 Rosemere St. , Rye, was sworn into the Women's Reserve, U. S. Naval Reserve, as an apprentice seaman in the enlisted quota of the WAVES. She is the daughter of Dr. A. R. Lemos, 256 Martine Avenue, White Plains. She attended Rye High School and was attending Teachers College, Columbia University at time of enlistment. Her brother, Sgt.
Carlos Lemos, is now serving with the United States Army in England. Miss Lemos will soon be ordered to U. S. Naval Training School, Bronx, Hunter College .
June 2, 1944 THE RYE CHRONICLE PAGE FIVE
 The United States Naval Reserve (Women's Reserve), was the women's branch of the United States Naval Reserve during World War II. It was established on July 21, 1942 by an Act of Congress and signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The purpose of the law was to release officers and men for sea duty and replace them with women in shore establishments.
During World War II some 100,000 WAVES served in a wide variety of capacities, ranging from performing essential clerical duties to serving as instructors for male pilots-in-training.
At least one-third of the WAVES were assigned to naval aviation duties.
 Helen served at the Naval Air Technical
Training Center, Norman, Oklahoma as a Seaman 2nd Class (S2c), her service number was 769 77 18.
(SEE MUSTER ROLLS)
 In 1944, the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) in Norman, Oklahoma, was a major training hub for WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), focusing on critical technical roles to support the war effort. WAVES at Norman trained in aviation mechanics, metalsmithing, and radio operations, filling roles vacated by men.
After her discharge she returned to Rye and worked at a gift store on Purchase Street for a few years. She married Roy Squires Austin on June 27, 1951, in Deming, New Mexico. They had one child during their marriage. They would soon move to Texas and start their own business.
Helen and her husband managed and co-owned Austin Boot Co. in El Paso, Texas for over 25 years. In 1980, they moved to the Houston area.
Helen ''Penny'' Brandow Lemos Austin, age 78 of The Woodlands, Tx. passed away June 29, 2001 in Spring, Texas.
 A Memorial Service for Helen "Penny" Brandow Lemos Austin, 78, of The Woodlands, Texas was held Saturday, July 14, 2001 in the Chapel of Forest Park, The Woodlands Funeral Home, with the Rev. Don Kidd officiating.
 Preceded in death by her former husband, Roy Squire Austin, and a stepson, Roy Stephen Austin. She was survived by: her brother, Carlos Lemos; her daughter, Deborah Smith & her husband, Steve; stepchildren, Royann Vicars & husband, Joe, Bob Austin & wife, Chris, Linda Kaul & husband, Bob.
She was also survived by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Internment was July 26th, 2001 in the Catskill Cemetery, Catskill, NY.
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