Lea Perlitz

Lea Griffin Perlitz, 89, passed peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Born November 30, 1935, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, she was the daughter of Lee Gerald Griffin and Helen Louise Stuart. In 1940, Lea's family moved to Rosenberg, Texas, including her older brother, Peter Stuart Griffin. In 1942 Lea gained her sister, Mary Gale Griffin.

Lea attended Saint Anthony High School in Beaumont, Texas where she met her high school sweetheart, and soulmate, James Rodger Perlitz Sr. After graduation, Lea entered the Sacred Heart Convent in Houston, Texas, and became a sixth grade English teacher, committing herself to religious life. She spent her 20s serving God and others as Sister Catherine Marie.

After prayerful deliberation, Lea decided to leave the convent and fulfill her desire for marriage and motherhood. Returning to Beaumont, she found Jim, waiting patiently. Just five months later Lea and Jim Perlitz were married, and they later became God-honoring parents to four beautiful children.

They settled in Silsbee, Texas where Jim built the town's first apartment complex and townhouses, while Lea dedicated her life to their children and improving the town's community. She started the collaborative movement in establishing an ecumenical pre-school, All Faiths Day School and sat on the board for many years. Lea became an instrument of change within the community, focusing to shape the development of the town's youth. She became the lead coordinator for Concerned Parents, which was intended to encourage children and adolescents to have safe and fun recreation organized by parents in the community. She started faith formation at the local catholic church, St. Marks. Lea also led the charge in establishing Project Graduation for the state of Texas.

Lea participated in many church activities throughout her life and especially enjoyed her time with the ladies in her Tuesday morning Bible Study at St. Peter's. She and Jim never missed an opportunity to attend their grandchildren's various activities. Spending time with family was a top priority in her life.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Lee Gerald Griffin and Helen Louise Stuart, as well as her siblings Peter Stuart Griffin, and Mary Gale Griffin.

Lea is survived by her loving husband, James Rodger Perlitz, her children, Mary Perlitz, Jimmy Perlitz and his wife Judy, Stuart Perlitz, Caliste Burt and husband Deke Burt, her nine grandchildren Tyler Barclay, Travis Barclay, Madison Barclay, Kaylea Burt, James Perlitz, Austin Burt, Yates Perlitz, Kendall Gale Burt, and Zach Perlitz, and her great-granddaughter, Lyla Barclay.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests for donations to be made to Hill Country Pregnancy Care Center.