Audra Schutte Balcuns

Audra Schutte Balcuns, who had been a public safety dispatcher for East Hampton Village and a volunteer emergency medical technician with the Springs Fire Department, died at home in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., on Feb. 20. Ms. Balcuns, who was 47, had Lyme disease and dysautonomia, an autonomic nervous system disorder, for four years. 

She had recently relocated to New Smyrna Beach with her husband, Michael Balcuns, to be closer to her mother, June Tilley, formerly of Springs. “It was there, when feeling better, that she ignited her passion for horses and volunteered at a rescue horse farm,” her family wrote. Not only did she love horses, but “she was rarely seen without her constant companion, Freddy, an adorable French bulldog,” they said. 

She also took great pride in decorating her house and loved to find treasures at yard sales. 

Ms. Balcuns was born in Southampton on Jan. 5, 1972, to Terry Schutte and the former June Rogers. She grew up in Springs and graduated from East Hampton High School. 

She and Mr. Balcuns were married on Sept. 13, 2013. 

In addition to her husband and mother, Ms. Balcuns is survived by her father, who lives in Port St. Lucie, Fla., a daughter, Ashley Helstowski of New Haven, Conn., and by her siblings Linda Platt of Hampton Bays, Nancy Sarris of East Hampton, Kim Settle of Clayton, N.C., and Patrick Schutte of Southold, and many nieces and nephews. A fourth sister, Susan Tiska, died before her.

A private service was held in Florida, and a memorial will take place in East Hampton in the future. Her family has suggested donations in her name to Dysautonomia International, P.O. Box 596, East Moriches 11940.