Obituary for Elfrieda "Effie" Maria Gross (Motschka)
Elfriede Gross nee Motschka: October 12, 1932 – August 20, 2020
Elfie grew up with her parents and sisters. Her father was Principal Heinrich Motschka and mother Maria Motschka and they lived in Gmünd, a small town in the north of Austria, where Elfie spent most of her youth. They also lived in very small villages, where their Papa was employed for the schoolboard.
Elfie was seven years old when the war broke out in 1939. Of course, her papa also had to go to war. Life wasn't easy for anyone. She moved to Vienna around 1950, trained with a dentist, and after a few years around 1954-55 she took a job in the office of the state health insurance company where she stayed until she decided to marry Michael (Mike) Gross and move to Canada in 1965. Elfie would often tell stories of her travels to Yugoslavia and Italy while living in Vienna.
Elfie would often refer to the transition to Canada as giving up her Vienna “high heels” for “rubber boots” in the north of Canada, always with her heartfelt laughter and smile.
After immigrating to Canada she lived with Mike in an apartment off of Lawrence Avenue in Toronto and soon bought a house in Richmond Hill. Elfie also landed a job at Hilroy paper company, then a family run business and became one of their lead production schedulers. She subsequently worked as inventory controller for Hutschenreuther Canada.
Elfie lived life to the fullest and rented out rooms in her home to support the household. Many of us can remember their extremely fun parties in Richmond Hill. She took on the role of Godmother and 2nd mother to Michael Buchert. She also became Godmother to Sandra Cole and acted in the role of Grandmother to Sandra and her sister Cynthia Caia. They all have very fond childhood memories in which they where welcomed to her home and company. She always made each of them feel very special and paid attention to their various childhood likes. She also established a strong bond with their mother Eusebia Ferreira that lasted till her dying day. They all considered her part of their family.
Elfie had a very special spot in her heart for her sister Liese who she supported and Liese acknowledges this with highest regards and will miss her sister dearly.
After many years she and Mike bought their property in Minden to cottage. As they looked to the future and retirement, they developed the property into their eventual retirement home. Elfie also had an entrepreneurial spirit and ran a local Hairdresser salon called “Head In Hairdresser” on Main Street in Minden. Eventually selling the business to step fully into retirement.
In time they developed local friendships with their neighbour’s Eddie and Roland and supported them to stay in their home during their later retirement. This friendship extended to that of their children Joe and Joan Bertin and family, who also have fond memories of their time with Elfie and her late husband Mike. Many a family event included Elfie and Mike.
Elfie loved to entertain and cooked her varied cuisine, that was influenced by her upbringing and travels. Coffee with ice-cream and a shot of Bailey’s was a staple of every visit.
Elfie is predeceased by her loving husband Mike. Elfie leaves behind her sisters Lieselotte Motschka and Ulrike Boos. She also leaves behind 2 nephews Werner and Karlheinz Boos. They all still live in Austria.
Her family is forever thankful for all those that gave of their hearts and time to support Elfie in her time of need. With special thanks to Joe and Brad Bertin for ensuring her last wishes are fully executed.
Written by Michael Buchert (Godson) with her sister Liesel Motschka.
Elfie grew up with her parents and sisters. Her father was Principal Heinrich Motschka and mother Maria Motschka and they lived in Gmünd, a small town in the north of Austria, where Elfie spent most of her youth. They also lived in very small villages, where their Papa was employed for the schoolboard.
Elfie was seven years old when the war broke out in 1939. Of course, her papa also had to go to war. Life wasn't easy for anyone. She moved to Vienna around 1950, trained with a dentist, and after a few years around 1954-55 she took a job in the office of the state health insurance company where she stayed until she decided to marry Michael (Mike) Gross and move to Canada in 1965. Elfie would often tell stories of her travels to Yugoslavia and Italy while living in Vienna.
Elfie would often refer to the transition to Canada as giving up her Vienna “high heels” for “rubber boots” in the north of Canada, always with her heartfelt laughter and smile.
After immigrating to Canada she lived with Mike in an apartment off of Lawrence Avenue in Toronto and soon bought a house in Richmond Hill. Elfie also landed a job at Hilroy paper company, then a family run business and became one of their lead production schedulers. She subsequently worked as inventory controller for Hutschenreuther Canada.
Elfie lived life to the fullest and rented out rooms in her home to support the household. Many of us can remember their extremely fun parties in Richmond Hill. She took on the role of Godmother and 2nd mother to Michael Buchert. She also became Godmother to Sandra Cole and acted in the role of Grandmother to Sandra and her sister Cynthia Caia. They all have very fond childhood memories in which they where welcomed to her home and company. She always made each of them feel very special and paid attention to their various childhood likes. She also established a strong bond with their mother Eusebia Ferreira that lasted till her dying day. They all considered her part of their family.
Elfie had a very special spot in her heart for her sister Liese who she supported and Liese acknowledges this with highest regards and will miss her sister dearly.
After many years she and Mike bought their property in Minden to cottage. As they looked to the future and retirement, they developed the property into their eventual retirement home. Elfie also had an entrepreneurial spirit and ran a local Hairdresser salon called “Head In Hairdresser” on Main Street in Minden. Eventually selling the business to step fully into retirement.
In time they developed local friendships with their neighbour’s Eddie and Roland and supported them to stay in their home during their later retirement. This friendship extended to that of their children Joe and Joan Bertin and family, who also have fond memories of their time with Elfie and her late husband Mike. Many a family event included Elfie and Mike.
Elfie loved to entertain and cooked her varied cuisine, that was influenced by her upbringing and travels. Coffee with ice-cream and a shot of Bailey’s was a staple of every visit.
Elfie is predeceased by her loving husband Mike. Elfie leaves behind her sisters Lieselotte Motschka and Ulrike Boos. She also leaves behind 2 nephews Werner and Karlheinz Boos. They all still live in Austria.
Her family is forever thankful for all those that gave of their hearts and time to support Elfie in her time of need. With special thanks to Joe and Brad Bertin for ensuring her last wishes are fully executed.
Written by Michael Buchert (Godson) with her sister Liesel Motschka.