Elizabeth “Liza” Lee, a beloved educator and longtime leader of The Hockaday School, passed away on September 12, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that shaped generations of students, educators and members of the Hockaday community.
Liza served as Eugene McDermott Headmistress of The Hockaday School from 1990 to 2004 and later returned as Interim Headmistress from 2015 to 2017. During her years of leadership, she helped guide significant developments at the school, including expanding diversity, introducing block scheduling and modernizing programs in science, mathematics, technology, arts and engineering.
She also led The Hockaday Tomorrow Campaign, which supported investments in technology and helped establish the research center that now bears her name, the Liza Lee Academic Research Center. During her return to Hockaday, she helped guide the completion of the Centennial Campaign and launched a service-learning program that connected students with the wider community.
Liza grew up in New York City and graduated from The Brearley School in 1961. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Holyoke College and a Master of Arts from Columbia University. Her career in independent education began at Brearley, where she spent more than two decades serving in several leadership roles.
Beyond Hockaday, Liza served as a leader at the Columbus School for Girls in Ohio and as an interim head at several schools. She also served on numerous educational and community boards and held leadership positions with national independent-school organizations.
She was remembered for combining strong leadership with a deeply personal approach. Former students and colleagues described her as someone who made people feel valued and cared for.
Liza is survived by her husband, William M. Lee, M.D.; her children, Ted, Matthew and Caroline; and grandchildren Arthur, Lorenzo, George, Ellie and Henry.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at The Hockaday School’s Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family Theater, followed by a reception at the Liza Lee Academic Research Center.
Liza Lee leaves behind a lasting legacy of education, leadership, service and compassion. She will be deeply missed and remembered by the many people whose lives she influenced.