BROWNSVILLE, Texas - It is a measure of the esteem in which she was held that city administrator Elizabeth Walker is being been mourned in both the lower- and mid-Rio Grande Valley.
The Boston native worked for the City of Weslaco for almost ten years, rising to the rank of interim city manager. She then worked for the City of Brownsville for five years, rising to the rank of assistant city manager.
Before working for the City of Weslaco, Walker was executive vice president of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Partnership, working under the legendary Bill Summers.
Walker died Jan. 7 after a long battle against cancer. She was 44 years of age.
Jo Summers told the Rio Grande Guardian: “I have fond memories of Elizabeth during the time she worked with my late husband, Bill Summers, at the RGV Partnership. She had a zest for life that was contagious and embraced every moment with a sense of adventure and a passion for life. We lost her too soon and she will be missed.”
The City of Weslaco issued this statement:
“It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of our friend and former City of Weslaco assistant city manager and city secretary, Elizabeth Walker.
“Elizabeth was a servant-leader and had a heart for public service. While she served Weslaco, she championed the City of Weslaco in all she did and in every initiative she undertook.
“Elizabeth started as a long-range planner in the Weslaco planning department. She then served as the city manager’s executive assistant and then as city secretary. In 2014, she became the interim city manager alongside her city secretary duties. From 2015 to 2018 she served as assistant city manager and city secretary before moving to Brownsville.
“The Rio Grande Valley has lost an incredible public servant and a beloved wife and mother. Elizabeth battled cancer for many years and took her last breath on Sunday. May she rest in peace.
“On behalf of Mayor Adrian Gonzalez, the Weslaco City Commission, city managers, and the entire City of Weslaco staff, we would like to extend her family and her son, Elijah, our prayers for peace and comfort and our deepest condolences at this very difficult time.”
Brownsville City Manager Helen Ramirez said she and Walker were hired by the city at around the same time, in 2019.
“I am very proud of the work Elizabeth did for the city. She has left a wonderful legacy,” Brownsville City Manager Helen Ramirez told the Rio Grande Guardian.
“She was working on some very important projects, like BTX Fiber, and our collective bargaining agreements with police and fire.”
Ramirez said she learned a lot from Walker.
“One of the things Elizabeth even taught me as a city manager and our other employees… she had wonderful leadership and soft skills, she really cared.”
Ramirez said Walker told her recently that her work for the City of Brownsville is her legacy.
“She said that while she worked for different cities in the RGV, she was very proud of the work she did in Brownsville. Her son, Elijah, would come to our recreation center. He was an avid reader at our library. We are grieving.”
Ramirez said the City of Brownsville is going to host a memorial for Walker next Wednesday at at the Alonso Building. “I invite everybody to go and really commemorate her life, starting at 5:00 p.m. She lives on in us and in the city. So thank you, Elizabeth.”
Leadership Brownsville issued this statement about Walker: “The Leadership Brownsville community is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Elizabeth Walker, Class XXXV. Often described as kind, considerate and courageous, Elizabeth left an indelible mark on our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones during this time.”
Brownsville-based governmental affairs specialist Veronica de Lafuente, who has also battled against cancer, paid her tribute on social media.
“I’m saddened to hear about the passing of my friend Elizabeth Walker, Brownsville assistant city manager. We met many moons ago when she worked at the RGV Partnership with Bill Summers as executive vice president and later as assistant City Manager in Weslaco prior to her arrival in Brownsville. Her most important work was in Brownsville, a city she saw evolve and grow.”
LaFuente continued: “Elizabeth was such a kind and sweet woman with a heart of gold. I loved her quick wit and her laughter.”
She added: “I will miss Elizabeth so much. She was such an amazing person. Please keep her family in your prayers. Especially Elijah, her son, and David, her husband.”
Lizzy de la Garza Putegnat, a Texas State Technical College regent, penned a glowing tribute on social media.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share my dear and beloved friend, Elizabeth Walker, ICMA-CM TRMC has passed and gone to be with the Lord,” de la Garza Putegnat said.
"Elizabeth had the most beautiful soul. She was the kindest and strongest person I have had the honor, privilege, and joy to know. She was an amazing mother, wife, daughter, sister, employee, friend, and a true leader in our community.”
De la Garza Putegnat said that as beautiful as she was with her golden curls, bright blue eyes, and radiant smile, Walker’s inner beauty shone even more.
“She brightened every room she walked into, and her light touched so many lives. Despite an arduous battle with cancer that included years of several types of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, double mastectomy, and clinical trials, she had unwavering faith and never lost her kind spirit, friendly demeanor, and heartwarming personality. She was a true warrior and fought relentlessly every step of the way with such admirable courage and determination.”
De la Garza Putegnat said her good friend was also “an inspiring, loving, caring, courageous, hardworking, and incredible woman - one we should all aspire to be.”
She said Walker poured her heart into her family, her community, and her work.
“(The) City of Brownsville, Texas and City of Weslaco are better because of her and her servant leadership. She was a person that truly cared for others; a person that wanted to make her community better; a person that was focused on impacting the lives of others for the better. The world needs more Elizabeths.”
De la Garza Putegnat said she will miss the “authentic conversations and the way in which we candidly spoke about our thoughts and feelings on so many subjects.” She said Walker “had so much wisdom” and was “an inspiring role model to me and many others - a true blessing in our lives.”
De la Garza Putegnat added: “Elizabeth was respected, admired, esteemed, cared, and loved by so many. We will all miss her vibrant spirit, her genuine kindness, and her unwavering love that touched all of us who knew her. Please keep her whole family in your prayers, particularly Elijah- her son, David - her husband, and Lenore - her mom.”
Rene Gonzalez, co-founder of Lit Communities, said: “I will never forget the dedication, passion, and heart that Elizabeth carried each and every time we engaged in conversation, work, etc. She will be missed by many and her work and impact will live on for a very long time.”
The City of Brownsville issued this statement:
“With heavy hearts, we share the news of the passing of our Assistant City Manager, Elizabeth Walker. She began her dedicated service to the City of Brownsville in 2019, she played a pivotal role in guiding our community toward prosperity.
“Ms. Walker was not just a leader; she was a driving force behind the positive changes we've witnessed in the City of Brownsville. Her leadership and genuine care for our residents were evident in every initiative she undertook.
“Her impact on our community goes far beyond her roles within the City administration; it's embedded in the positive transformations we continue to experience.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Elizabeth's family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside her. In this time of sorrow, let us remember Elizabeth for the mark she left on our community and the countless lives she touched.
“May her memory continue to inspire us all.”
Elizabeth Meredith Walker, mother to Elijah Escobar, wife to David Escobar, daughter of John and Lenore, sister to John and Sara, best friend of John-Paul Hayworth, and friend to all, has ended one journey and begun another. A born servant-leader, she came to the Rio Grande Valley twenty-two years ago for a short time and found her place among us. An award-winning public servant, including being certified internationally as a city manager and state-wide as city secretary, she spent her career giving her all to communities across the Valley including Weslaco, South Padre Island, and, until the day she died, Brownsville. Committed to the dignity of the profession and all those it served, she earned a Master's in Public Policy and Management from the University of London, conferred by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, completed the Harvard Leadership Development Program, and recently completed a term as regional President of the Texas City Managers Association.
Her spirit and passion live on in the works she has done, including bringing internet access, championing the needs of Gulf War veterans, and leading community recovery from natural disasters, but more importantly in the hearts she touched. Elizabeth met strangers only once; ever after they were friends, loved, cherished, and celebrated for who they are. She deeply valued the spark in each individual and had the unique ability to not only see it but encourage it to grow and thrive. Elizabeth's most cherished spark is and will always be her son, Elijah.
She gave her heart to so many she loved so easily, gave her body for four years to scientific advancement in cancer research, and her soul to the disciplined commitment to higher purpose.
The family encourages everyone who knew her to hold those memories of her close during this time of transition and to make the lessons Elizabeth taught us a permanent part of our lives in remembrance of her light.
“I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.”
― Jack London
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Alonso Building on 510 E. St. Charles St., Brownsville, TX 78520.
An additional Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Frontera Audubon Center, 1101 S. Texas Blvd., Weslaco, TX 78596.
A family-only service will be held in Port Isabel and interment, open to all, will be at Port Isabel City Cemetery on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Elizabeth asks that any gifts in memoriam be sent to local causes and organizations that mean something deeply to the giver that provide support, assistance and care to those in need.
You may sign the online guestbook, light a remembrance candle, or send words of comfort to the family of Elizabeth Meredith Walker at www.thomaegarza.com.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home and Crematorium, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.
Editor's Note: Reporter Steve Taylor contributed to this story from Weslaco, Texas.
