Virginia Beach—Elaine Ruth Gross, a resident of the Beth Sholom Village in Virginia Beach, peacefully passed away on Saturday, December 19, at the age of 85.
Elaine was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. to Alex and Claire Solomon. She attended school and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Master Degree of Education from Brooklyn College. Elaine was married to Harold Gross for 63 years and they had three sons, Alexander (Joanne), Fredric (Laura), and Michael (Kim).
Elaine taught elementary school at PS 236 in Brooklyn, and at Flamingo Elementary school in Cooper City, Florida. She was loved by her students and was remembered as being “amazing,” “my favorite teacher of all time,” and “great at teaching science.” One student fondly recalled a time that the school principal came into her classroom, asking for someone intelligent to assist him with a project. Without hesitating Elaine instructed the entire class to rise and follow the principal to his office. The student noted “I never felt so good in my life. I loved your mom.”
Elaine was equally loved by family and friends. She was an avid golfer and tennis player. She loved pets and at one point shared her home with a dog and three cats, all of which were rescue animals. Along with Harold, she traveled to Mexico for tennis tournaments, on cruises with her grandchildren, on safari with close friends, and on numerous road trips.
In addition to her husband and her children and their spouses, Elaine is survived by her brother Bob and his wife Eleanor, and grandchildren Ben, Alyson (Michael), Rachel (Aviv), Harrison, Sam, Andrew, Matthew, Charlie, and Jack. As a result of COVID, a memorial service will be held at a later date.