Jo Betsy Lewallen Szebehely

Jo Betsy Lewallen Szebehely, 87, a lifelong Austinite, died on March 16, 2022, after a brief illness. She was welcomed into this world by her parents R. J. Lewallen and Dorothy Marie Parker Lewallen on January 17, 1935. She had been a resident at Westminster for several years.

Jo Betsy was a graduate of Pease Elementary, University Junior High, Austin High School, The University of Texas, obtaining a degree from the Department of Human Ecology in 1957 and later serving on their Visiting Committee. In 1953, she pledged the Chi Omega sorority. Later, entering the UT Law School, she graduated in 1966. Jo Betsy was a Partner at Hearn, Knolle, Lewallen, Livingston & Holcomb for 9 years and then in private practice until she retired in 1999. During this time, she offered considerable pro-bono professional services and community volunteer services. In 1970, she married Victor Gyozo Szebehely, a UT professor and emigrant from Hungary, who had fled the twin scourges of Nazism and Communism and was internationally recognized for his work in Celestial Mechanics.

For many years, Jo Betsy served on the Steering Committee for The Monday Connection at Seminary of the Southwest and was a Sustaining Member of the Junior League of Austin. In addition, she was a member of the Resource Development Counsel at Laity Lodge. Of greatest importance to her was her lifelong membership at First Baptist Church (now First Austin), following the legacy of her parents. She was elected a Deacon and served on many committees, such as the Chapel Restoration Committee and the Pastor Selection Committee. Her service continued until she was over 80 years old. She then joined The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd as it was near her residence. She loved the Episcopal discipline and ceremony and to worship with lifelong friends and others that brought great meaning to her life.

Jo Betsy found a wonderful balance between her spiritual, family and professional lives, which included a number of close and long term friendships. Some of the moments that brought meaning to her life were: family gatherings at holidays, her years at First Baptist Church, travelling through Europe visiting local cathedrals, sailing with Victor on Lake Travis, spending summer vacations at their home on Penobscot Bay in Maine, listening to classical and religious music, attending UT football games and hosting dinners for loved ones at Tarry House. Most of all, she was just happy to be with family and friends, living a life of mutuality with them.

Jo Betsy was predeceased by her husband and her parents. She is survived by her brother Jay Lewallen (Diane); her niece Kerry Salatino (Joe) and their children, Roland and Marisa; her nephew Kyle Lewallen (Nancy) and their children, Parker and Kehle (Noah); and The Lunch Bunch, her lifelong friends.

There are no words to say how deeply she will be missed by so many whose lives she touched. She was truly a Godly woman who served the Lord wholeheartedly and personified Colossians 3:12 perfectly. “…clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” She was a giver and a servant and truly loved her neighbor as Jesus commanded.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, March 25th at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor Rd., Austin, Texas 78703.

In lieu of flowers, she would have been honored by contributions to First Austin, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Seminary of the Southwest, or Laity Lodge, or to know you continued to make contributions to charities of your choice.