Elizabeth Landry Foster

Elizabeth "Liz" Landry Foster-Luczycki, cherished by family and friends as "Lizzy, Big Liz, Foster, Aunt Liz, Bunting, and Bunnie," passed away peacefully on October 9, 2024, at the age of 69, due to complications from an autoimmune liver disease that she bravely battled for over 15 years.

Born in 1955 to Robert and Priscilla Foster, Liz grew up on the picturesque 370-acre campus of St. Stephen's Episcopal School in the hills outside Austin, Texas. As a "faculty kid" Liz spent many summers swimming every afternoon and playing Password, Yahtzee, and The Barbie Game. Her childhood was happy and carefree, marked by a fun-loving and intrepid curiosity.

Liz was a dedicated student who excelled in mathematics and Spanish during her time at St. Stephen's Episcopal School. She continued her education at the University of Texas at Austin, earning a BA in 1976 and an MBA in 1983. Liz then embarked on a successful financial services career in Dallas.

Liz's life took a joyful turn when she met Dennis Luczycki in 1993, marrying him in 2001. Together, they built a life rich with adventure, taking trips throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico and cherishing annual retreats to their family cabin in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Liz and Dennis also shared a passion for automobiles and enjoyed numerous excursions with the Dallas BMW and Kurvenjäger Porsche Car Clubs. Her other interests were diverse, including yoga, puzzles, board and card games, word games, and gardening. She also deeply appreciated art and museums, had life-long season tickets to the Dallas Symphony, and attended many cultural events in the Dallas-Fort Worth area like SMU's Tate Lecture Series.

For 22 years, Liz served as SMU's Director of Investment Operations and Endowment Manager of Donation Relations. She was admired for her dedication, high ethical standards, generosity, and collaborative spirit. Her colleagues will fondly remember her for her kind mentorship, inclusive nature, and gentle sense of humor.

Beyond her career, Liz was an active volunteer in her community. She served for many years as a mentor with The Career Transition Workshop in Dallas and as a board member of the Texas Women's Foundation. She also served multiple terms on the St. Stephen's Episcopal School Board of Trustees.

Liz is survived by her loving husband, Dennis Luczycki, and family members Cate and Neil Ormond of Midland, Texas, Ann Foster-Cook and Allan Cook of Austin, Texas, Ed Luczycki and Kara Fletcher, of Dallas, Texas, and Kim Luczycki, of Plano, Texas. She is predeceased by her parents, Robert and Priscilla Foster of Austin, Texas.

Liz's family would like to especially thank friends Danna Orr, Nina Hutton, Dannielle Kennedy-Battle, and Tessa Schreiner for their helpful and loving assistance during these past weeks.

Liz's presence will be dearly missed by her family and friends, yet the memory of her vibrant spirit, enduring kindness, and unwavering commitment to her loved ones and community remain as a perpetual reminder of a life diligently and compassionately lived.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held in Dallas in November 2024 with details to be announced soon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Priscilla and Robert Foster Financial Aid Endowment at St. Stephen's Episcopal School, 6500 St. Stephen's Drive, Austin, Texas, 78746 https://sstx.myschoolapp.com/page/giving/endowment/make-a-gift?siteId=1244&ssl=1 or to a charity of your choice.