Elfriede “Effie” Gold Terry, 80,  of Yorktown, VA passed away on January 30th, 2023 surrounded by family. She had recently celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary with her husband Will.

She was born in Kunzendorf, Czechoslovakia on July 04, 1942.  Near the end of WWII, when she was about three years old, she and her family, who were ethnic Germans, were forced to move to Germany. Just twelve years later, she left home to go to school and work. In Zweibruken, Germany at age twenty, she met her soon-to-be husband, Will. Together, Effie and Will moved to Mississippi where they had twin boys, Ralph and Robert. Effie learned to speak English while raising her boys and earning her US citizenship. Although she kept her delightful accent, she fully assimilated into her new country and considered herself an American. Effie was also a breast cancer survivor and became an active member of the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation. Throughout her life, she faced many challenges but met them with persistence and strength.  She held many jobs  but retired from a long career at JC Penney in 2004. After retiring, she enjoyed her time gardening, volunteering at the Animal Aid Society, and spending time with family, friends, and neighbors.

She is survived by her husband Will, brother, Herbert Gold, sister-in-law, Matilda, children; Ralph, Mike, Robert and Roberta, grandchildren;  Samantha and Shelby, nephews and nieces; Juergen, Dieter, Franz, Marianne and Hildegart, as well as many other family, friends and neighbors.

Effie’s celebration of life ceremony will be held at a later date. Please contact the family for more information. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Animal Aid Society of Hampton or the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation- Peninsula Chapter, two organizations Effie was passionate about. 

https://www.animalaidsociety.org/support/

https://www.vbcf.org/donate-now-2/