Ethel Adolf Sternberg, 93, a 67 year resident of Williamsburg, VA, passed away on August 8, 2018.
Ethel was born on September 3, 1924 in Hamburg, Germany and with her older brother, in 1941 escaped Hitler’s regime to hide in Spain for three years before obtaining papers that allowed them to emigrate to the U.S. through Ellis Island. After a brief stay in New York City Ethel and her brother moved to Richmond, VA.
While in Richmond she met and married Optometrist Paul Sternberg and the newlyweds soon after moved to Williamsburg, VA where Paul set up his practice in 1950. Ethel and Paul were the founders of Temple Beth-El of Williamsburg where Paul served as the first president for 16 years. After Paul’s death in 1983 she also served the Temple as its president for many years.
Ethel was a devoted wife and mother and while caring for her family she found time to serve as a volunteer at Williamsburg Community Hospital, a member and officer of the Sisterhood at Temple Beth-El and as a Docent for the Museum of Art at the College of William and Mary. Later in her life she did a great deal of public speaking about her remembrances as a holocaust survivor.
Ethel is survived by her children Cary (Sherry) Sternberg of The Villages, Michael (Angie) Sternberg and Trish Bell as well as 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul, her parents and brother Kurt Adolf and nephew Gerry Adolf.
A service for family and friends will be 10 a.m. Friday, August 10, at Bucktrout Funeral Home in Williamsburg, Va. Interment to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond, VA at http://www.Vaholocaust.org, Temple Beth-El of Williamsburg or a charity of your choice.