Elizabeth Worthington

Elizabeth Worthington, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully April 12, 2025 at the age of 94. She was born in Brownsville, Texas on January 3, 1931 to Guadalupe and Beatrice de la Garza, raised in nearby Raymondville, and attended Baylor University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She then attended graduate school at The University of Texas and joined Austin's University Baptist Church. It was there she met and married a fellow member of the choir, T.H. Worthington, in a union that lasted 70 years until his death in 2024.

She and T.H. raised their two daughters to be strong, independent, outspoken, caring women just as she was. This was a legacy passed on from the women in her family, including her mother, a tiny-but-fearless woman of principle, who for years single-handedly ran her ranch after the death of her husband. And as Elizabeth enjoyed telling with pride, her great-aunt Martha once pulled a shotgun from her calico skirts to drive away marauders from the King Ranch who wanted her land. They never returned to confront her again. Martha's fierce spirit lived on in Elizabeth, as did her love of life and boundless sense of humor.

She enjoyed endless escapades with her younger, beloved brother, Charles. His love of pranks often was the spark behind their adventures, which included placing pennies, then pebbles, and eventually, larger and larger rocks on the rail line near the family ranch. The two then hid in the bushes to watch the results, but the fun turned to fear when an exceptionally large rock finally forced the handcar operators to a screeching halt to avoid derailment. The men went searching for the culprits, who weren't caught, but that last episode put a quick end to the game!

Elizabeth enjoyed a 30-year career with The University of Texas, first in the English Department, then as assistant to the Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies (and later, acting president of The University), William Livingston. She also directed children's choirs at UBC, sang in the adult choir, and later enjoyed volunteering with Sweet Charity, a gift shop benefitting Seton Medical Center. Her family always came first, and she was a particularly devoted grandmother to her grandson and four granddaughters, as well as her grand-dogs!

Her love of antiques - particularly American primitives - resulted in a lovingly-curated collection that set her home apart from others, even to the point that the kitchen she designed was featured in the Austin American-Statesman. She also delighted in frequent trips to New England, was an exceptional cook, and loved classical music, books, wildflowers, entertaining, making holidays memorable, caring for her yard (especially her azaleas and her enormous magnolia), and sculpting ceramics.

She leaves behind a long legacy of love, endless laughter, generosity of heart and spirit, and a family and friends who always will cherish her memory. She is survived by her two daughters, Robin Arena and Lauri Martino, son-in-law, David Martino, and grandchildren Ian and Julia Arena, Hannah Martino Bowers, Maggie Martino Fucile, and Emma Martino. She was preceded in death by her husband, T.H., her brothers Frank and Charles, and her son-in-law, Javier Arena, MD.

A celebration of the lives of Elizabeth and T.H. will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 17th in the chapel of Austin's Seminary of the Southwest, 501 E. 32nd Street.