Elizabeth Harrington

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Elizabeth Harrington, 76, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 2, 2023, at her home in San Antonio, Texas with her children by her side.

Elizabeth was born Elizabeth Louise Edmunds in New Iberia on November 20, 1946, to the late James Smith and Eva Louise Fry Edmunds. She met Cliff at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, where she graduated and then taught Civics at New Iberia High School. The following year they moved to Boulder, Colorado, where Elizabeth earned her PHT (Putting Him Through) helping Cliff through law school while teaching in Denver. After his graduation in 1972 they moved to Northern Virginia where Elizabeth became the Assistant Director of the Marine Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.

She raised their two children and was always active in their scholastic and extracurricular lives, with cameos as a soccer coach, Cub Scout den leader and head of the football snack bar. Elizabeth, with Cliff, constantly lived her best life by traveling and making dear friends throughout Europe and the United States, renewing her vows in Las Vegas on her 40th anniversary with Elvis presiding and celebrating her 60th birthday following the Tour de France across the French Alps.

In 2015 Elizabeth and Cliff retired to Driftwood, Texas. She settled into her new surroundings quite quickly by making her home a natural gathering place for family, rescuing a couple of stray dogs and gracefully enduring hours-long drives to enjoy the world’s fourth best smoked brisket. At night she could be found with a cocktail in hand at many a Texas Hill Country music hall, listening to her favorites including Robert Earl Keen.

Renowned for her talents in the kitchen, Elizabeth’s repertoire included a mean pot of gumbo and Cliff’s favorite shrimp étouffée. She took great pride in her home and garden and was an expert with her Singer sewing machine, making stylish clothes for herself and family, including costumes and prom dresses. Her impressive embroidery and needle work were cherished by all who received them. Moreover, she was dedicated to service in her community, acting as the president of her local Inner Wheel women’s club in Virginia, as well as the president of the high school Band Boosters where she excelled at fundraising.

Elizabeth will be dearly missed by all those that knew and loved her. She lit up any room that she entered and was known by all as a positive person with a warm smile and great attitude toward life and all of its blessings.

Elizabeth is survived by her daughter Dr. Erin “Kate” Harrington and husband Frank Robert Gallegos Jr., also of San Antonio; her son Clifford “Beau” Harrington and wife Elizabeth P. Harrington of Oakland, California; her cherished grandchildren Clifford Gallegos, aged 7 and baby Sloane Harrington; her brother James Edmunds of New Iberia; her sister Laura Edmunds of Nashville, Indiana; and her dogs Butch and Sophie.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years Clifford “Cliff” Harrington.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Final Frontier Rescue Project of Georgetown, Texas. Elizabeth held in her heart many beloved canine companions over the years and was a passionate supporter of dog rescue charities.