ELIZABETH ELLEN “BETSY” PARISH
1946-2018
Elizabeth Ellen “Betsy” Parish, age 71, died at home on Tuesday, the 13th of February 2018. A fifthgeneration Houstonian and member of one of Texas’ pioneering families who settled in Houston in 1838. Known throughout her life as Betsy, she was born the 20th of March 1946 to Marion Robbins and Walter Alvis Parish, Jr. After attending The Kinkaid School through the 9th grade, she transferred to and graduated Mirabeau B. Lamar High School in 1963. She graduated Mount Vernon College in Washington, DC, and later attended the University of Houston majoring in Journalism.
An avid supporter of efforts to document and preserve the history of healthcare in Houston. Betsy was the author of Legacy: 50 Years of Loving Care, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1954-2004. Originally published in 2006, Legacy subsequently was expanded into a second edition published in 2008. Following Legacy, she co-authored Houston Hearts: A History of Cardiovascular Surgery and Medicine and The Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center published in 2014 and a corollary to that book, Reflections Houston Methodist Hospital published in 2016. Most recently, she edited Tributes, a compilation of previously published articles regarding Dr. Michael DeBakey which was published in 2017.
A former newspaper columnist and public relations executive, Betsy wrote a daily column at the Houston Post for more than seven years which resulted in her being saluted as “Houston’s hot media personality.” Prior to joining the Houston Post, Betsy was Vice President of Sales Promotion, Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, Visual Merchandising and Special Projects for Sakowitz, Inc.. Under her input and direction, Sakowitz became known around the world through publicity of the Christmas Catalog “Ultimate Gifts” and the annual storewide “Festivals”. She also worked closely with the store planning division on the expansion stores opened in Dallas, Midland, Houston, and Tulsa.
Prior to joining Sakowitz, Betsy spent over ten years of her career in the field of public relations, marketing and advertising specializing in the hotel industry. Her career began as a sales representative for the Hotel America. She was the Astroworld Hotel Convention and Public Relations Coordinator for Judge Roy Hofheinz and Director of Sales and Public Relations for Houston International Hotels whose properties included the Warwick in Houston, Villa Vera and Marallsa hotels in Acapulco, and the Gran Bolivar in Lima. Recognition of her experience and understanding, led to her becoming the Director of Public Relations and Advertising for the Hyatt Regency in Houston where she coordinated the opening activities of the hotel as well as Hyatt Hotels in Memphis, Savanah and other properties. Betsy was one of the first women elected to serve on the international Board of Directors of the Hotel Sales Managers Association.
Betsy, a true raconteur with an infectious laugh and cutting wit, will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather, Hugh Garrett Alexander Jr., her sister, Marion Robbins Parish, and aunt, Ellen Robbins Red. She is survived by her brothers, Ford Alexander and wife Leah, Hugh G. Alexander III and wife Carolyn, her niece Taylor Alexander and nephew John Alexander, her uncle Dr. Horace Taylor Robbins, and numerous cousins.
The family wishes to express its appreciation and gratitude to Marina Diaz for her devotion and loving care.
A memorial service in celebration of the life of Elizabeth Ellen Parish is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 23rd of March, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston.
In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to The Betsy Parish Fund, c/o The Parish School, 11001 Hammerly Blvd., Houston, TX 77043.