Martha "Martita" Rice Seeligson

Martita Rice Seeligson peacefully left this world on August 26, 2025, 84 years after she arrived August 22, 1941, the only child of Martha Lewis Rice and George Stanley Rice. Martita graduated from Saint Mary's Hall in 1959 and Vassar College in 1963, after which she embarked on a grand world tour and returned to San Antonio to debut as a Fiesta duchess. That year at a pigeon shoot, she was spotted by 40-year-old confirmed bachelor Frates Slick Seeligson, who thought this fresh, smart 22-year-old looked "pretty as a peach." Three months later they were engaged, and three months later, married, on July 1, 1964. Together they travelled far and wide, their favorite continent Africa, to which they returned many times for hunting, ranching and recreational trips.

Widely known for her sharp intellect, true warmth, bright red lipstick, and (according to her husband) "Sweet but strident voice that could open an oyster at 30 yards," Martita also became highly respected as a supreme cook and entertainer. Mastering all types of wild game, no matter how dated or freezer-burned, from their many hunting and fishing excursions became her pièce de résistance. Together they lived a charmed Texas lifestyle entertaining and being entertained by friends at the ranch, in San Antonio and abroad, and at many summer beach picnics in La Jolla. Martita raised three children, Martha, Roxana, and Frates, and a menagerie of animals, including countless dogs, silver tabby cats, hamsters, gerbils, fish, a Cameroon Pigmy goat, and one chatty African Gray parrot.

Unsurprisingly, Martita was also an avid supporter of the San Antonio Zoo and founded the first Zoo Ball where guests walked through the lighted Zoo grounds at night. Always current on news events and active in politics, Martita volunteered regularly at election polls and served many years as Republican Precinct Chairman. She threw energy and enthusiasm into all tasks, and when she co-edited the original 1978 SA Junior League Flavors cookbook, she happily tested every recipe in her kitchen prior to publication. Her culinary integrity plus her extensive, if unofficial, range of catering acumen was later acknowledged by an invitation to join the professional organization, Les Dames D'Escoffier International San Antonio Chapter.

But according to her husband Frates, being a devoted grandmother was Martita's "Oscar-Winning Role." Lovingly known as "Granny" to nine adoring grandchildren, Martita delighted in them individually and as a group, with sleepovers filled with cooking and books, Happy Day gifts, card games, cheering for anything and everything, carpooling and afternoon snacks, countless hugs, and two safaris to Africa. The second safari was without parents, which Granny dubbed "Granny and the Grands." Not only did they observe wildlife and play endless Onze with Granny, but the Grands invented "Granny Bingo" and taught Granny how to take a Selfie with their whole group grinning behind her on the savannah--now a treasured photo.

Martita was preceded in death by her husband Frates and her parents, Martha and George Rice. She is survived by her daughter, Martha Seeligson and partner Jim Barshop; daughter, Roxana Newsom and husband Hamlet; son, Frates Seeligson and wife Josie; and nine grandchildren: Maggie Gaffney and fiancé Isaac Wood, Jack Gaffney, Nicholas Gaffney, Hamlet Newsom III and wife Emma, Cecila Carr and husband Trem, Frates Newsom, Lyle Seeligson, Tate Seeligson, and Genevieve Seeligson.

The family would like to thank Suki, as well as Sandy Forrester and her team of loving caregivers, especially Mia, Mariam, Bree and Lupe.

Martita will lie in repose on Thursday, September 18th, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78212. The family will not be present, but all who wish to pay their respects are welcome to do so during this time.

A celebration of her wonderful life will be held at 11:00 am at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 315 E. Pecan Street, San Antonio, on Friday, September 19th. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the San Antonio River Foundation, Saint Mary's Hall, or a charity of your choice.