Sophia Luchs Gold

Sophia “Sophie” Luchs Gold, 103, of East Brunswick died Dec. 17, 2015. Born in Cleveland, she lived most of her early life in Chattanooga, Tenn., eventually moving to New York City, including Brooklyn and Queens.

A migration specialist, Mrs. Gold worked for Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society as chief of the Balkans’ desk, helping Jews migrating from the former Soviet Union and Balkan countries to resettle in Israel, Europe, and the United States. She was fluent in numerous languages.

She graduated with highest honors from Chattanooga High School in 1930 and spent two years at University of Tennessee. After moving back to Cleveland, she graduated with high honors from Case Western Reserve University in 1934. She received her master’s degree from The Graduate School for Jewish Social Work at Columbia University in 1938.

She was a Cub Scout den mother for many years and was active in her sons’ schools’ PTAs, serving in a variety of executive capacities. She was also very active at her family’s Stephen Wise Free Synagogue of Flushing, serving in many executive capacities for its board and sisterhood, for almost 50 years. She also volunteered for State of Israel Bonds.

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Predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Maxwell Luchs, and her husband of 30 years, Bernard Gold, she is survived by two sons, Bob (Deana) Luchs of Somerset and Steve (Lynn) Luchs of Colfax, NC; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Services were held Dec. 18 with arrangements by Star of David Memorial Chapel, West Babylon, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse Association Health Group, c/o Robert Wood Johnson Hospice, 176 Riverside Ave., Red Bank, NJ 07701.