Liz Leonard Happel

Grace Elizabeth “Liz” Happel (née Leonard), beloved mother, daughter, sister and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Galveston, Texas, surrounded by family on Friday, the 2nd of February 2024. She was 71 years of age.

Born in Houston, Texas, on the 11th of April 1952, Liz was a proud Houstonian to her core. A Lamar High School alumna, she later graduated from Southwestern University before returning to Houston. Liz’s love for the city she and her family called home was apparent in her stories, from her great-grandfather building Union Station (now Minute Maid Park) to her wild tales of growing up in River Oaks.

Liz also had a special fondness for Lake Travis in Austin, where she visited when her grandparents bought one of the first lots sold on the lake. She later moved to Lake Travis full time so she could see the water and sunsets, which she called “God’s colors,” every day. During her time there she enjoyed entertaining friends and family on the dock, taking long cruises on her boats, and cheering on Lake Travis High School football.

Creative and arts-and-craftsy is a good way to describe Liz. She always had a new craft project or business idea, and she was famous for her iconic, over-the-top costumes. She even taught herself how to tie balloon animals and spent some time as a clown; wig, costume, painted face, and all.

In more recent years, Liz called Sea Isle in Galveston home. Ignoring her father’s advice that one should “live near fresh water, rent near salt,” she moved to Sea Isle in 2019. She spent her days enjoying the beach and ocean air and spent evenings and the occasional late night with friends and neighbors at the “Pelican Pub." Liz made friends wherever she went and leaves behind deep, loving, lifelong friendships in Houston, Lake Travis, Sea Isle, and everywhere in between.

Liz had a unique approach to faith, embodying her own version of Christianity that embraces love and kindness above all else. She believed that all good people find their place in Heaven. This philosophy guided her throughout her life, and she passed this valuable lesson on to her children.

Liz is survived by her children, Thain Allen and his husband Jack McBride, Clay Allen and his partner Jimmy Doan, Tyler Allen and his partner Lia Uili, Liza Happel and her partner Harrison Carr, and bonus daughter, Jennifer Bennett; her sister, Catherine Hutchison; niece, Missy Hutchison; and her partner for life, William “Bill” Happel. Her marriage to Bill spanned decades, and together they built a family filled with love and shared memories. Liz is preceded in death by her parents, Lois Berry Leonard and Leslie Thain Leonard.

Liz’s family would like to wish a special thank you to her dedicated and compassionate caregivers, Heydi Martinez and Beverly Mayorga, who provided unwavering care and support over the last year.

In accordance with Liz's wishes, a celebration of life will be held in her honor. Please join us in remembering Liz Happel as we celebrate the joy and laughter she brought to those around her, a life well-lived, and the enduring legacy of a woman who believed that being a good person mattered above all else.

A Celebration of Life is to be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 17th of February, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a venue to be announced during the service.

Liz and her family request that guests attend dressed however they feel comfortable.

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with her family by selecting the "Add a Memory" icon below.