Elfriede F. Whitcher

1937 - 2025

Elfriede F. Whitcher
April 16, 1937 - March 25, 2025
Elfriede Francesca Fehrenbacher Whitcher, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed peacefully on March 25, 2025 with family at her side.
Born on April 16, 1937 in Ellwangen, Germany, Elfriede approached her life with confidence, determination and kindness. She came to the United States following World War II and the loss of her beloved mother. She was adopted by a generous aunt and uncle in Detroit, Michigan and started Edwin C. Denby High School not knowing a lick of English. Not hardened by her tumultuous childhood, Elfriede's sparkling personality won her friends easily and, before graduating from high school, she met the love of her life, Robert F. Whitcher. Together, Bob and Elfriede forged an enviable 67-year marriage, full of travel and accomplishment. Those who were fortunate enough to bear witness to their marriage, knew it radiated pure love.
After graduating high school and mastering the English language, Elfriede attended Macomb County Community College, graduating with a two-year degree, followed by her attendance at Oakland University, where she received her degree in English and German. She then went on to earn her Master's degree in English Literature from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. Although she was, at first, hesitant to attend university due to learning English later in her life, Bob encouraged her to do so, knowing her intelligence and hard work would allow her to excel.
Elfriede became a middle school teacher at West Junior High School and, later, a high school German and English teacher at Rochester Adams High School in Rochester Michigan, teaching for 20 years. As all who know her today, her students were inspired by her strong yet caring presence. She was so very proud of one student, with whom she remained good friends until her passing.
Following Elfriede's retirement from the Rochester school system, she and Bob moved to Sonoma, California to be closer to their children and grandchildren. This is representative of the pair's unwavering commitment to the family of which they were so proud.
Sonoma has been Elfriede and Bob's home for the last 30 years, throughout which Elfriede has been an enthusiastic resident. Over the course of 30 years, Elfriede spent countless hours volunteering for Pet's Lifeline, specializing in crafting goods for PLL's many craft sales. About 10 years ago, she organized a photo shoot and calendar featuring some of Sonoma's most ardent PLL supporters and their pets as a fund-raiser for the organization.
Her creativity was a marvel. Elfriede became an active and regular contributor to the Sonoma Community Center's "Trashin' Fashion" annual spring show and was incredibly proud of her creations. Elfriede was a lifelong knitter and a supporter of Sonoma's Noma Knits. When she could no longer comfortably knit, she took up mending worn garments and clothing so as to breathe new life into these items for their owners. Emblematic of her kindness, she often took on challenging projects or those she knew could not be paid for.
Elfriede was also a regular fixture at yoga studios in Sonoma, finding yoga after her first bout with cancer at 49 years of age. Remarkably, she continued her practice until just about 18 months ago. While Elfriede was happy walking all year, she was especially delighted during the summer months doing laps at the Diamond A Rec Center pool early in the morning. While she was active in ensuring that the many birds around the yard were properly fed, she concentrated in caring for the hummingbirds.
Elfriede was a bright and shining light who spread love and kindness to those who knew her and she will be keenly missed. We can all learn from how Elfriede consistently faced challenges with conviction, while maintaining compassion for others during struggle. Elfriede is survived by her husband, Robert F. Whitcher; her children, Amara Morrison and Darren Whitcher (Susan Dugal Whitcher); and grandchildren, Myles Whitcher, Chad Whitcher and Islay Morrison.
A mass honoring Elfriede will take place on Wednesday, April 16 at 8:30 a.m. at the St. Francis of Solano Catholic Church in Sonoma. Our family will host a celebration of Elfriede's wonderful life later this spring.