Eva A. Rehfeld

1925 - 04

Eva Rehfeld, beloved mother of Sonia Rehfeld Toner, passed away on February 16, 2024, at the age of 98. She was born in Berlin, Germany in 1925. Eva and her parents lived in Berlin through the years of Holocaust persecution and forced labor, losing many relatives, but were themselves survivors. After the war ended, Eva met her future husband Eric who was serving as a Major in the U.S. Army and stationed in Berlin. Eva and her parents immigrated to the U.S., via Sweden, in 1948, settling in Philadephia where they had other friends who had immigrated from Germany. Eva moved to the Washington, DC area in 1952 when she married her beloved, late husband Eric.
During their 58 years of marriage, Eva and Eric traveled extensively in Europe, Canada and U.S. National Parks. While serving in the Senior Executive Service (SES) as Coordinator of NATO Affairs at the Department of State, Eric traveled frequently to Brussels and other European locations where Eva sometimes joined him.
When at home, Eva was a superb cook and hostess for dinner parties for friends and family celebrations. She also had a gift for sewing, home décor, and gardening. Eva and Eric were enthusiastic subscribers to Arena Stage and the Kennedy Center National Symphony for decades. After Eric's death in 2010, Eva continued to live independently in her Bethesda home, devotedly maintaining her beautiful yard until December 2021.
Eva is survived by her daughter Sonia Toner (Andrew); grandchildren Nathan and Rachel (Richard Thomas); and a great grandson Nathan Jr. A private graveside service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the DC Holocaust Museum, the Jewish Museum in Berlin, or WETA.