Elizabeth Mackey

Elizabeth Ann Sublett Mackey was born on February 20, 1954 and left us on February 8, 2022 in Austin, Texas after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Liz’s life was blessed with varied pursuits, adventures, and relationships.

Liz’s very happy childhood in the rice farming community of El Campo, Texas defined her love of dogs, horses, chickens and nature, which continued to give her great pleasure throughout her life. Her mother was of Czech dissent which meant she was a wonderful cook of Czech foods. Much of which, Liz mastered and began her lifelong love of cooking. Hardly a day went by in Liz’s life that there was not something “on the stove” or in the oven. She was always happily willing to share her recipes and teach anyone who wanted to learn. She also loved sharing wonderful foods she conjured up in her kitchen for all to enjoy.

Liz was a brilliant woman whose world was filled with beauty of seashores, skies, animals, plants and flowers, books and travel. All of which she loved sharing with her beloved husband, Bruce T. Morrison. Liz also loved and surrounded herself with her wonderful dogs. Over her lifetime, she had a myriad of cats, chickens, and dogs. One of her favorite dachshunds, named “Boss,” was given to her by her oldest sister, “Cookie“. The “fluffies” are Liz and Bruce’s dogs given to them by her sister, Sue. These fluffies had special places in her heart and a big part of her bed, where they enjoyed lots of tummy rubs, love and affection from Liz.

She lived in Malta and traveled extensively, often to Mexico and Central America. She loved Mexican culture and architecture, which lead her to Oaxaca and Palenque and gave her the opportunity to befriend Christopher Powell, a lead archeologist at the ruins in Palenque, Mexico.

Liz was educated by study, travel and life. She attended Texas A&M University, Creighton University, University of Texas and St. Edwards University. She excelled in health education and later practiced as a respiratory therapist at hospitals in Texas and Florida. Liz was a skilled respiratory therapist as well as a wonderful medical worker with what seemed like a second sense for identifying medical issues in an individual that showed no symptoms.

Her first business owner pursuit was dedicated to helping others do what they needed to do, that she cleverly named ‘Beck and Call’. She eventually had the opportunity to help others on a bigger scale by going into elder care and ran several personal care homes for the elderly.

At the time of her death, she was employed at Saint David’s Surgical Center in Austin, Texas as a Respiratory Therapist. Previously she worked at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, where she was lauded employee of the month, which was an amazing source of pride for her. Later she transferred to St. David’s Surgical Center. She repeatedly mentioned how guilty she felt that she wasn’t able to work with Covid survivors but also how much she missed working with her coworkers. Her work was a sense of pride, but not equal to the important relationships she had with her coworkers and doctors.

She treasured her friendships with many of the doctors, therapists and nurses - some of whom became her doctors and nurses when she became ill. The friendships she made over her lifetime stemmed from her professional life as an employee and employer. Liz counted her employees over the years as her friends. Many have expressed gratitude in knowing her and that she changed their lives just by being in them.

Liz’s friends and family can attest to the love and care she gave to everyone that was blessed to know her. She has been so loved in return and she always knew that. Special thanks from Liz’s family go out to her dearest friend, Rhonda Brink, her husband Bob Green and their daughters Lynn and Leslie. The Brink-Green Family were her family as an adult. So, many happy times and memories were created with them.

A special mention to Liz‘s friends Shannon, Gina, Sandra, Melanie, Valerie, Lawrence and Joanna. A big thank you to Ruby and Lucy for assisting Liz’s sister Sue in taking care of her when she became ill. You both made the time she had left filled with laughter, kindness and love.

Liz’s family treasured her for her generosity, laughter, care and love. They have been honored to love and care for her in return.

Liz is survived by her sister, Sue Parker and Sue’s son, Hunter, and his wife Nicole; by her sister, Dr. Arlene Montgomery and husband Dr. Seth Montgomery and Arlene’s sons, Barton and Jacob Marks; the children of her late sister, Margie Humphries, Liz’s niece and nephew Candace and John Paul Humphries; by the children of her late brother John, Liz’s niece and nephews Leanne, Wallace, Jeffrey and John Sublett; and by her goddaughters, Christie Bieber and Leslie Green .