Elga Pettit

Elga Senbergs Pettit, 79 of Dripping Springs, Texas, passed away peacefully Wednesday, August 24, 2022 with her family at her bedside. She was born February 2,1943 in Riga, Latvia as the only child of Elvira and Constantin Senbergs. Elga is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, James (Jim). She is survived by her three children: John (wife Kerry) of Dripping Springs, TX; Alex (wife Claudia) of Ypsilanti, MI; and daughter, Anna of West Palm Beach, FL. Elga emigrated to the United States as a young child after spending time in a displaced persons camp in Germany ahead of the Russian occupation of Latvia and became a fully naturalized citizen in 1964. She finally had the opportunity to revisit her homeland in 2019 for an unforgettable exploration of her Latvian heritage (of which she was ever-so-proud). She pursued a Bachelor of Arts with Highest Honors in Fine Arts and a Master of Science in Education from Hofstra University and taught art to middle and high school students before pursuing further education in the craft of decorative painted finishes at the Isabel O'Neil Studio Workshop for the Fine Art of the Painted Finish in New York City. There she became a journeyman and continued on to work with a number of New York-area designers to practice her craft. Her attention to detail made her exceptional at tricking the eye to see a wide array of common and exotic materials where there was only paint. While living in New York she maintained extensive gardens, and again, her attention to detail and inspired vision helped her to create artfully cared-for landscapes. Her children were the unquestionable center of her world and she accomplished much in the name of raising them along with several black labs and cats that may or may not have belonged to other families. She had a smile for everyone and was generous with all she had and could give. Conversation was her super power: she always had a story to share and could dispel any silent moment with great ease. May Elga now find endless lush weed-free gardens, cilantro-free food, and perfectly warm clothes. The family is accepting guests for an open-house memorial gathering Monday, August 29 from 4-7 pm at 10807 Glenview Dr., Dripping Springs, TX 78620. A small graveside burial will be held at 9:00 am on Tuesday, August 30 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX In lieu of flowers or a memorial gift, please consider making a donation in her name to: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (https://www.wildflower.org/donate) PAWS Shelter of Central Texas (https://pawsshelter.org/donate/) Garezers Latvian Center (https://garezers.org/atbalstit-support/)

Elga Pettit

February 2, 1943 - August 24, 2022