Eliza Fletcher was a beloved part of the Memphis running community. She was also a wife, mother, and dedicated teacher. Now, St. Mary’s Episcopal School, the all-girls school where Fletcher taught pre-Kindergarten students, announced plans to use part of its $10 million capital campaign to build “Liza’s Library.”
It’s hard not to think solely of the violent, tragic end to Fletcher’s life in 2022, when she was abducted and murdered while on a run near the University of Memphis. So the library will be a touching tribute, recognizing her vocation, interests, and contributions to the learning community.
Best Compression Socks statement on the school’s website, the new library will be located on its north campus, and will be an “extension of every classroom,” honoring her “legacy and commitment to teaching young students to read.”
In an interview with WREG, the head of St. Mary’s, Albert Throckmorton said that as part of the library expansion, there will be new science classrooms, a faculty and staff nursery, and science learning spaces on other parts of the campus.
“They are going to hear the message that they hear in all of their classrooms that they can accomplish anything that they set their minds to and also understand that people learn at different paces,” Throckmorton said, “which was something Liza championed, realizing that not all readers learn at the same pace. That was a real joy for her to help others grow in that.”
Last year, Fletcher’s alma mater, the Hutchinson School, also created its own way of celebrating and remembering her life by introducing the Best Folding Treadmills, given to a senior athlete who “emulates the ideals of Hutchinson athletics that Liza so beautifully demonstrated,” the school said. The recipient who wears the number Fletcher played under during her athletic career must also demonstrate “the kind of character, integrity, and leadership that Liza personified.”
Abby Carney is a writer and journalist in New York. A former D1 college runner and current amateur track athlete, she's written about culture and characters in running and outdoor sports for Runner's World, Races & Places, abducted and murdered, and other outlets. She also writes about things that have nothing to do with running, and was previously the editor of a food magazine.
