Ruth Ellen Gutherz, of Virginia Beach, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 16, 2016. She was born in Cologne, Germany, to the late Max and Herta (formerly Berstein) Familier.
When the Nazis came to power in Germany, she moved with her parents to Barcelona, where they survived the war. In her late twenties, she came to Cleveland, Ohio, where she met her future husband Joseph Gutherz. After starting a family, they moved to Rochester, N.Y., and eventually settled in Virginia Beach, where they enjoyed an active retired life.
Ruth was a kind, generous, hardworking and caring person, who went out of her way for others. She was always eager to lend a hand to those who needed it, including numerous immigrant newcomers to the Hampton Roads area.
Among her many activities, Ruth was a member of Ohef Sholom Temple, Brandeis Women’s Club, Brith Sholom, B’nai Brith and the Feldman Chamber Music Society.
In the last few years, she enjoyed new friendships at the Beth Sholom Terrace, where she lived and was cared for by an outstandingly caring and dedicated staff.
In addition to her parents and her brother, Ernest Familier, Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Gutherz.
Left to cherish her memory are her son, Thomas Gutherz, and his wife, Carmi Weiner; son, Daniel Gutherz; and grandchildren, Tamar, David and Ilan, and his wife, Sonali Bloom.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at Ohef Sholom Temple, 530 Raleigh Ave. Norfolk. Burial services will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Norfolk.
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