Elizabeth "Betty" Hurdle Marshall

Elizabeth "Betty" Hurdle Marshall passed away peacefully at home in Dripping Springs, Texas with her partner and family at her side, on February 14, 2025, at the age of 78, from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A talented lawyer and writer, loving mother, doting grandmother, and witty and supportive friend, Betty was steadfastly committed to doing what was right and touched countless lives through kindness, generosity, and a legal career devoted to fairness and justice. Betty was the daughter of Junius Philip Hurdle and Barbara Helen Tew Hurdle. She was born on October 7, 1946 in Rochester, New York and raised in the nearby village of Fairport. After receiving a high school diploma with honors from Fairport High School in 1964, she earned a B.A. in English from William Smith College in Geneva, New York in 1968. In college, she was the editor of the school newspaper, and after college worked in the public relations offices of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Hamilton College, and Brown University. After having two children and moving to Texas, Betty attended SMU Law School, where she received her J.D. in 1984. Following law school, she worked as a briefing attorney for Judge John Hill at the Fort Worth Court of Appeals and then served as an appellate attorney and chief of the appellate section for the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office and, later in Austin, as Assistant State Attorney for the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. She was board certified in criminal law, a member of the State Bar College, and was a frequent speaker on criminal law and evidence for the State Bar of Texas and the Texas District & County Attorney Association. She proudly worked on cutting edge legal issues, like using DNA evidence in criminal cases. Betty was active in the Tarrant County Democratic Party for many years, including volunteer work with United States Representative Martin Frost, and she campaigned statewide as the Democratic candidate for a seat on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in 1994. The campaign was a family affair with her college- and high school-aged children David and Sarah attending events with her, drafting letters to organizations, and mailing bumper stickers to supporters. Betty loved watching baseball, reading about archeology, researching family history, and reading murder mysteries. She was a Texas Rangers season ticket holder and fan of Longhorn football and baseball. For years, she meticulously documented the family lineage and often on road trips would have the whole family visit a local cemetery to find a family gravesite. Her murder mystery collection, carefully arranged in alphabetical order, is likely unrivaled, filling many, many bookcases, along with countless history and archeology books. She was the widow of C. Chris Marshall, a fellow Assistant Criminal District Attorney who was shot and killed on July 1, 1992 as a bystander attending oral arguments at the Fort Worth Court of Appeals in the Tarrant County Courthouse. She was also preceded in death by two of her brothers, Philip Hurdle and William Hurdle. Betty is survived by her devoted partner Dan Roark, who selflessly cared for Betty as COPD took its toll. She is also survived by her children, David Philip Stanton (Tami) and Sarah Renee Holland (Michael); five grandchildren Isabel Stanton, Philip Stanton, Edith Holland, Doris Holland, and Simon Holland; her brother Robert Hurdle (Candy); Dan's children Kevin Roark (Nicole) and Sophie Roark (John); and Dan's grandchild Kayla Roark. A service will be held at Congregation Beth Israel in Austin, Texas on Tuesday, February 25 at 11:30, followed by lunch. In lieu of flowers, Betty had requested that donations be made to the Central Texas Food Bank or to the local food bank in your area.

Elizabeth "Betty" Hurdle Marshall

October 7, 1946 - February 14, 2025