Virginia Beach —Augusta Straus Goodman, born in Richmond, Virginia on May 10, 1917, passed away peacefully early Friday, March 31 with loved ones on either side, just six weeks before her 100th birthday.
She is the daughter of the late Aubrey and Wilma Straus of Richmond. She is predeceased by her loving husband of 67 years, Robert Campe Goodman, her brother Clifford, and her sisters Adah and Audrey.
Augusta is survived by her children, Robert Goodman, Jr. (Martha) of Virginia Beach; David Goodman (Marian) of Winchester, Massachusetts; Beverly Goodman of Encinitas, California; and Lynn Zoll of Virginia Beach; her seven grandchildren, Allison (Brandon), Campe (Amanda), Jake, Marcus, Emanuel, Maria (Doug), and Nathan; and four great-grandchildren, Beya, Julian, Madeline, Natalie.
Augusta attended the University of Richmond and graduated from Connecticut College with a major in Botany in 1938. She lived in Northern Virginia until 1941 and then moved to Norfolk. She later moved to Virginia Beach (Princess Anne County) in 1947. With Bob, she joined the Cavalier Golf & Yacht Club where they remained active golf playing members. She was an active member of the Tidewater Woman’s Golf Association, an avid golfer who competed in amateur tournaments and was nicknamed “Trophy Kid” by her son.
Augusta was an avid gardener, curious reader, and involved in W.T. Cooke School PTA. She led a citizen group in Princess Anne County to lower the speed limit on Atlantic Ave. at the North End to 35 mph. She was active in the United Way, a founding member of the Voluntary Service Bureau (now Volunteer Hampton Roads), co-founded the used book exchange at Linkhorn Park Elementary as member and leader in PTA, served as a member of Virginia Beach Beautification Commission, and was an active supporter of the Optimist Club. Augusta served as a passionate volunteer to many organizations, giving time and donations to enhance the lives of many. She was known to many as a gracious hostess, an excellent cook, sports enthusiast who adored fishing, swimming, tennis, golf, and baseball, one who loved to dance, a whiz at *5-star Sudoku, and a passionate bridge and poker player.
Burial took place at Forest Lawn Cemetery with a memorial service at Ohef Sholom Temple.
Donations requested to the ACLU, Augusta’s favorite charity. ACLU, c/o the Gift Processing Department, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10004.