Following her death Sept. 12, The Hockaday School paid tribute to Elizabeth “Liza” Lee, who led the school as the Eugene McDermott Headmistress from 1990 to 2004, as an “extraordinary leader” who “had a remarkable ability to be both stern and loving.”
During Lee’s tenure at The Hockaday School, she led The Hockaday Tomorrow Campaign, which funded technology investments and the building of the research center that now bears her name, raised Hockaday’s diversity rate from 17 to 24%, and modernized the science, math, technology, arts, and engineering curriculum, among other achievements, according to the school.
After her initial term as headmistress from 1990 to 2004, Lee returned to serve Interim Headmistress from 2015 to 2017. She was the commencement speaker at the Class of 2007 graduation ceremony and the Alumnae Association named her and her husband, Will, Honorary Alums in 2004.
Her other awards and accolades include an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from SMU, SMU’s Maura Award for her support of women, the Excellence in Education Award from the Dallas Historical Society, and the Girls’ Champion Award from Girls Inc.
“Liza was an extraordinary leader whose impact on my life went far beyond her role as headmistress,” said Abby Hoak Morton in a post shared by the school. “No matter how much time had passed, she somehow always knew what was happening in my life and genuinely cared about every update, making you feel that you truly mattered to her. She had a remarkable ability to be both stern and loving — you never wanted to disappoint her, but you always knew that her expectations came from a place of love and belief in who you could become. I would meet people throughout my life who would hear where I went to school and say, ‘You’re one of Liza’s girls,’ and being one of Liza’s girls will always be one of the greatest honors of my life.”
The Young Women’s Preparatory Network also remembered Lee as the organization’s first executive director.
“Her guidance and belief in what girls can achieve helped shape the organization we are today,” the Young Women’s Preparatory Network shared in a post. “We will always be grateful for the role Liza played in YWPN’s story. Her legacy lives on through the thousands of young women who have had the opportunity to learn, lead, and pursue their dreams of college at a YWPN school.”
UT Southwestern earlier this year established the Will and Liza Lee Center for Liver Disease and Transplant Research in recognition of the couple’s contributions and legacy.
“Through the center, Liza and Dr. Lee’s impact will continue to shape research focused on advancing the understanding and treatment of liver disease and improving the lives of patients. Their commitment to education, mentorship, and discovery has left a lasting mark on UT Southwestern and the broader community,” UT Southwestern shared in a post.
Aside from her tenure at Hockaday, Lee led the Columbus School for Girls in Ohio and served as interim head at Trinity Episcopal School in Austin, in addition to roles with Porter-Gaud School in Charleston and The College Preparatory School in Charleston. She served on the boards of The Lawrenceville School, The Brooks School, The Brearley School, St. Philip’s School, and The Winston School in Dallas and was Past President of both the National Association of Principals of Schools for Girls and the Country Day School Headmasters Association. Lee also served on the boards of Oldfields School and the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Justice and Tolerance.
Lee is survived by her husband, William M. Lee, M.D.; their children, Ted (E.V. Day); Matthew (Gia), and Caroline (Mike); and their grandchildren, Arthur, Lorenzo, George, Ellie, and Henry.
A memorial for Lee is set for 2 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family Theater at The Hockaday School.
Author
