Elaine Ephraim Lebowitz

Elaine Lebowitz, longtime resident of Austin, passed away peacefully at home on November 23, 2023. At 98, she was still a vibrant, caring woman, and she will be greatly missed. Elaine was born and raised in Plaquemine, Louisiana, a small town across the Mississippi from Baton Rouge. An only child, Elaine was known for being mischievous and extremely intelligent. She attended LSU on an academic scholarship and was an active member of Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority. After graduating with a degree in biology, she moved to New York City, where she lived with her aunt and worked in radiology. Shortly after she returned to Plaquemine, she visited cousins in Waco, where she met Leon Lebowitz, then a young law professor at Baylor University. They married in 1948 and moved in 1956 to Austin, where Leon began his long tenure as a professor at the UT School of Law. Elaine and Leon were married 72 years. Elaine filled many roles in her adult life: mother of two, faculty wife, x-ray technician, Volunteer Coordinator for the Travis County Probation Department, proofreader in the Texas Legislature's Engrossing and Enrolling Division, and volunteer for numerous organizations. She was especially active in the League of Women Voters and was a fervent, lifelong supporter of progressive causes. Elaine was also an avid bridge player, continuing to play well into her 90s. She loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother. Elaine and Leon were members of Congregation Beth Israel for more than 60 years. During that time, Elaine served on the Board of Trustees, was active in Sisterhood, and taught Religious School. She joined one of the first Adult B'Nai Mitzvah classes and became a Bat Mitzvah in her 70's, reading Hebrew with her unique South Louisiana accent. She and Leon rarely missed a Temple event. Leon sang his last love song to Elaine in 2020. Her son, Brian Lebowitz, passed away in March of 2023. Elaine is survived by her daughter, Amy Greenspan and her husband Donny; daughter-in-law Lise Goldman; grandson Adam Greenspan and his fiancée Shannon Scott; granddaughter Gina Manlove and her husband Kyle; granddaughter Samantha Goldman; and great-grandchildren Nelly and Miles Manlove. She was fortunate to have the loving care of wonderful caregivers over the years, and the family extends special thanks to Lena, Aida, Judy, and Xochitl. In March of 2023, Elaine established the Elaine and Leon Lebowitz Eldercare Fund, in association with the Shalom Austin Jewish Foundation, to assist seniors in the community with housing needs. Contributions in her memory may be made to that fund, to Congregation Beth Israel, the Leon and Elaine Lebowitz Endowed Presidential Scholarship at UT Law, or the worthy cause of your choice. A live stream of the service will appear on the Austin Natural Funerals Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AustinNaturalFunerals a few minutes before the service begins. A Facebook account is not required to watch. If a pop-up window appears asking you to log in click "not now" and the live stream will be available for you to watch. If the "not now" button does not appear, scroll down on the page and it will come up for you to select.

Elaine Ephraim Lebowitz

February 21, 1925 - November 23, 2023