Elizabeth Leigh Greenman

Elizabeth Leigh Greenman, beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, cousin, niece and dear friend to many, unexpectedly passed away at her home on January 26. Elizabeth was born on February 14, 1969, the first Valentine baby born in Dallas that year. She brought the joy, kind-heartedness, zaniness and love of that day to all who knew her. She was very much her own person --- funny, tenacious, competitive and a free spirit. A fifth generation Texan, Liz moved to New York City with her parents at the age of four and became a New Yorker through and through. She attended The Brearley School in New York City and, after returning with her family to Dallas in 1985, graduated from The Hockaday School in 1987. She earned a B.A. in Theater from Williams College and a Master of Fine Arts in Theater from UCLA.

After a successful career as a theatrical lighting designer, she realized that she enjoyed teaching others about the theater and became an adjunct professor of Technical Theater at Marymount Manhattan College. A lifelong athlete, Liz was a nationally ranked fencer in high school. As an adult, she earned a black belt in Karate and became an instructor in Krav Maga, an Israeli self-defense system that she taught at the 92nd Street Y and privately in a rented studio in lower Manhattan. Blessed with a whimsical and quick sense of humor, Liz entertained everyone, especially herself, with an unending stream of dreadful puns and clever retorts. In spite of her tough veneer, she was at heart a kind and gentle person.

Elizabeth was pre-deceased by her grandparents, Edna and Carl Flaxman, and Elise and Jack N. (Bud) Greenman, and her aunt, Katherine F. Baum. She is survived by her parents, Suzi and Jack Greenman; her brother and sister-in-law, John Greenman and Zahie El Kouri; her nephew, Nico Greenman, and her nieces, Francesca and Layla Greenman; her aunts and uncles, Judie and Bob Greenman, Judie and Dick Greenman, Peggy and Dave Millheiser, and Lester Baum; her cousins, Betsy Block, Michael Baum, Bradley Greenman, Jeff Greenman, David Greenman, Anne Millheiser, Robert Millheiser, and Jill Segal; and her sister in spirit, Margarita Mojarro. Our family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Drs. Mark Fleschler and Andrew Gottesman who administered to her during the last days of her life.