Obituary of Ilse Hanna Wolff

Ilse Hanna née Tuteur Wolff, 87, of Niskayuna, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on September 28, 2011, after a long battle with breast cancer. Born March 29, 1924 in Kaiserslautern, Germany, she was the youngest daughter of Ernst Tuteur and Frieda Bodenheimer Tuteur and predeceased by her dear sisters Lotte and Margaret. Ilse's childhood home was lively and interesting but marked by the rise of fascism in Germany and at the age of fifteen she was evacuated to England via the "Kindertransport". Her losses in the the Holocaust were many, including her beloved Oma (Grandmother Bodenheimer). She also endured the London Blitz and other wartime hardships but England began a new, hopeful and challenging chapter and she was reunited her with her older sisters and other relatives. Even during the most unsettling times she continued her education, built lifelong friendships and benefited from foster parents -- a wonderful Quaker family (the Daniels) and met her husband, Jonas Wolff, to whom she was married for sixty-six years. Ilse and Jonas immigrated to the USA in 1947, at last reuniting her with her parents. Ultimately, the young couple relocated to upstate NY, putting down roots and creating a new life and family. A fierce advocate for human rights and for the needs of underprivileged and oppressed people everywhere, she passionately spoke to local school groups on the history of the Holocaust and genocide. She cared deeply about global politics, found her voice as a talented poet, worked for the Niskayuna School System and at the age of of 51 finally completed her education, earning a Bachelor of Science from Empire State College. Her warmth, affection and openness were obvious to everyone she met, as were her fine sense of humor, love of the arts, literature and especially Mozart. Ilse leaves behind her loving family including her dear husband Jonas, beloved children Dr. Anthony B. Wolff (Margaret) and Dr. Michael L. Wolff (Linda), and Carol Miriam Wolff; grandchildren Leah Wolff-Pellingra (David), Benjamin Wolff, Aaron Wolff, Eve Wolftrand (Michael), and Theodore Wolff; two great grand-children, Naomi Wolff-Pellingra and Dina Wolff-Pellingra; many dear nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends, creating an extended family. She will be missed by all. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Sunday, October 2, 2011 at Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Avenue, Schenectady, New York 12309. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to the Community Hospice Foundation, 295 Valley View Boulevard, Rensselaer, NY 12144-9307 or to Congregation Gates of Heaven.