Lois Elfenbein Gosa

August 2, 1948 – May 3, 2026

Lois Elfenbein Gosa was born on August 2, 1948, in Newark, New Jersey, to her loving parents, Asenath and Sollie Elfenbein. At the age of two, her family moved to North Miami Beach. She developed a love of music early on, playing the harmonica and studying piano and violin.

She attended Florida State University, where she studied piano under Edward Kilenyi and violin under Richard Burgin. Lois joined the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in 1970 and had a distinguished 49-year career with the orchestra, first as a violist and later earning a position in the violin section, where she spent the majority of her career.

Lois had a love of learning and a natural gift for teaching. As early as age 11, she was giving piano lessons to children in her neighborhood. In addition to her orchestral career, she maintained a lively private violin studio called Viva Violins. Her gentle, encouraging nature helped cultivate the talents of countless children and adults.

She found great fulfillment in playing chamber music throughout her life, beginning in her teenage years. One project particularly dear to her heart was her piano trio, The Amadeus Trio. More than 20 years after her earlier studies at Florida State University, she returned to pursue graduate work under Eliot Chapo. A highlight of that time was performing a recital alongside her daughter Rebecca, who was also a student at FSU.

Lois deeply cared for her family and nurtured the musical talents of her four children. She later became the biggest cheerleader for her grandchildren, supporting them in their various interests, whether in sports or the arts. She was known for her positivity, cheerful nature, wisdom, and strong work ethic, and she took great pleasure in spending time with her loved ones.

A woman of faith and tradition, she was a longtime member of the Jacksonville Jewish Center and enjoyed singing in the choir during the High Holy Days.

Lois passed away on May 3, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Gosa (2024), a double bassist with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. She is survived by her brother, Robert (Mila); her children, David, Rebecca (Jeremy), Andrea (Richard), and Elizabeth (Zach); her grandchildren, Joel, Juniper, Anthony, Ava, and Preston; and her beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

“For everything that is good…Amen.” — Lois Elfenbein Gosa

A Graveside Service will be held at 10:30 am on May 6, 2026, at The Garden of Abraham in Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32207, US.