Port Arthur lost a friend to the city with the death of former City Councilwoman Elizabetth Ann “Liz” Segler, who served two terms in the District 2 position beginning with her 2008 election.
Segler was 76 when she died Friday.
Those who knew Segler knew a woman who loved her city — one who would go out of her way to promote Port Arthur.
A gathering of family and friends is scheduled from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday at Grammier-Oberle Funeral Home. Funeral service is at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Grammier-Oberle. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
During events of just about any description, Segler was there providing a face from the city.
“Liz was a true champion of the people,” Deloris “Bobbie” Prince, said. “Liz gave all she had to give and then some.”
Prior to her election, Segler was an active member of the Port Arthur Beautification Committee.
“We worked really hard on the community to improve the appearance, and were successful in many areas,” Aletha Kirkwood, who served with Segler on the Beautification board, said.
Kirkwood was appointed by Segler to serve on the city’s Economic Development Corporation board, a position she continues to hold today.
Kirkwood remember Segler not just as a colleague, but as a  friend.
“She was a native Port Arthurian, and so am I. Port Arthur was always dear to our hearts. I certainly lost a dear friend, and I am going to miss her very much,” Kirkwood said.
Prior to her service to the city, Segler was a teacher/coach at Port Arthur schools. She taught girls physical education and coached girls track; taught World History and coached at Lincoln High School before retiring from PAISD in 1994.
PAISD Superintendent Mark Porterie described Segler as a “kind and warm person, who greeted all with smiles and hugs.”
“One memorable quality Liz possessed was her uncanny recall of names; she would call you by your name even if she had not seen you in a long time. Yes, her smile was broad and genuine; Liz Segler loved people — all people,” he said.
Segler was also a product of Port Arthur schools having attended elementary, junior high and senior high.
“On behalf of the PAISD board of trustees, employees and the many students that Mrs. Segler touched, we acknowledge her contributions to PAISD and extend our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Segler’s family and friends,” Porterie said.
Following her retirement, she coached girls softball and was an umpire for both men and women’s and girls fast pitch.
Segler was also active with the Friends of the Library and Concerned Citizens Group.
As an avid gardener, she served as past president of the TFHS at Beaumont Botanical Gardens at Tyrrell Park.
Even after she opted to not seek re-election to the City Council office, Segler continued to love her city and offered to serve.
“Liz cared for the city and the citizens of Port Arthur to the point where sometimes when she was not well she wanted to be there and represent the city and help. She believed in what she was doing and even when she left she said, Bobbie, if you need me just call me,” Prince said.