Gladys Wolff

Gladys Eva Tipton Wolff died peacefully at home on Saturday, July 29, 2006. For over three years she did not struggle with her metastasized cancer, she simply lived as she had always lived: joyfully, devoting herself to encouraging, healing, and inspiring everyone around her. She made no room in her life for illness. Finally, the time came to let go, so Gladys said goodbye, and let go. She continued to see clients until the last possible moment. Her legacy of loving service continues in the hearts of family, friends, colleagues, and countless others. Gladys was born on June 20, 1929, in Los Angeles, Calif. She earned a scholarship to Stanford University, where she graduated with a B.A. in Education in 1951. After teaching elementary school abroad and in Hunter's Point, San Francisco, she earned an M.A. in School Psychology. In 1959 she married Wirt Wolff II, began a family, and moved to Dallas, Texas, where she helped lead the League of Women Voters' school desegregation efforts. In 1981, while working as a school psychologist with Poudre School District and raising three children as a single mother, Gladys earned her Ph.D in Psychology from the University of Denver and became a licensed clinical psychologist. At this time Gladys started a private practice specializing in family therapy and continued to work with Fort Collins schoolchildren. Gladys loved being with her grandson and having him camp out overnight in her living room. One of her greatest delights was watching him learn and grow. She regularly enjoyed movies and meals out with friends and family. She also loved watching CNN and Sunday a.m. news shows. In the last years of her life, Gladys' deepening love of journaling, reading, and dream workshops reflected her shift toward inner spirituality after a lifetime of service. Gladys is survived by her grandson, Milo Wolff Woodward; her daughter, Patti Wolff; her daughter Karen Wolff Jim Woodward; her son, Wirt Wolff III; and stepdaughters Kathy and Betsy Wolff Ralph Petty. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday Aug. 11 at Plymouth Congregational Church, 916 W. Prospect Road, Fort Collins, CO, 80526. Donations may be made to Project Self-Sufficiency 970 635-5912, or to your favorite charity.