Elsa was born to Lester and Elsie Roberts on the 4th of February 1926 in Houston. She graduated from Lamar High School and attended the University of Houston where she received both Bachelor of Science and Masters of Letters Degrees. She was appointed to position of Professor in the Human Development and Consumer Science Department where she served as a full time faculty member for 34 years. In those years of teaching she brought thousands of students to recognize the strength of self through positive personal presentation building a sense of elegance, dignity and respect. She received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos in recognition of her service and dedication to excellence through her art of teaching. She was a talented lecturer addressing schools, universities, churches and business organizations through the presentation of personal training and professional growth seminars.
Elsa lived the dream of a lifetime having begun her career at age 16 in Hollywood as an actress with multiple opportunities for stardom. Her incredible inner and outer beauty led her into a different calling that took her into the world of high fashion. For over sixty years she sparked the runway, the media, and photographers with the creations of renowned designers such as Cartier, Bill Blass, Christian Dior, and Emilio Pucci. Her talents were in high demand by such highly respected stores as Sakowitz, Nieman-Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Marshall Fields, and Esther Wolf, to name only a few. Her beauty was shared with thousands through the pages of internationally distributed high fashion magazines and newspapers to include Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, McCall’s, Life, Look, Houston Post, Houston Chronicle, Dallas Star-Telegram, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, etc. In the 1960’s Elsa was acclaimed as the “International Coffee Hostess” for Maryland Club Coffee spreading the message nation-wide of “Maryland Club, the coffee you’d drink if you owned all the coffee in the world.”
Elsa met the love of her life, James Augustus Rosborough whom she married on the 28th of February 1947 and shared 61 beautiful years together. They were blessed with four wonderful children and thirteen grandchildren who lovingly knew her as “Mama-Mia.” The greatest joy in her life next to her husband and family was her beloved home in Wimberley.
Elsa is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Jim and Wanda Rosborough, daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Joe Pfau, son and daughter-in-law Brent and Lynda Rosborough, and son and daughter-in-law Lance and Vicki Rosborough. She is also survived by grandchildren, Jimi Lynn Brandon, Adrien Davis, Jim and Stephanie Rosborough, Ryan and Latonya Rosborough, David Ruehlman, Jr., Chris and Danielle Rosborough, Barbara and Denney James, Nat and Emily Thompson. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Caleb, Jillian, Kylie, Rhett, Tenley, Lana, Addyson, Madeline, Benjamin, Gwendalyn, Brent, and Reeve.
Family and friends gathered for private services at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home in Houston followed by interment at Forest Park Cemetery Westheimer.
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