Shelby Wolf

Shelby Anne Wolf, born in Tallahassee, Florida on September 22, 1950, was a world traveler and Peace Corps Volunteer who lived in Japan, Tunisia, Bolivia, Saudi Arabia and across the USA, making Colorado her home for the last twenty years as a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder upon completing her Ph.D. at Stanford University in 1992. As a professor Shelby achieved great heights as a scholar at the University of Colorado, publishing The Braid of Literature, authored with Shirley Brice Heath, based on book-reading times with her daughters, Lindsey and Ashley. Shelby's research, which began while she was a doctoral student at Stanford, showcased her love of drama and provided deep insights about how the arts could expand a child's sense of self. Shelby also led the four-person team that edited the Handbook of Research on Children's and Young Adult Literature, a tour de force that brings together theoretical perspectives from multiple fields of scholarship. Shelby was also a much respected and revered teacher-of both first graders and graduate students. During her years teaching elementary school in international schools abroad and in the United States she was much loved by her young students and their parents. As a professor in the School of Education she was held in deep esteem by the over two thousand undergraduate and graduate students who had the pleasure of being in her company. In 2006, Shelby Wolf was named a University of Colorado President's Teaching Scholar. This designation is the University's highest recognition of excellence in teaching requiring exceptional contributions in research as well. Her most important accomplishment, however, was raising two beautiful daughters, Lindsey and Ashley, who will always remember the many hours of storybook reading and dramatic play that filled their childhoods. Shelby was always ready to lead the way in fanciful escapes from everyday life and let the "wild rumpus" begin. Shelby will be remembered as an adored teacher, gifted writer, dear friend, and much-loved mother. She gave much of herself to make life more loving and richer for everyone around her. Shelby is survived by her daughters, Lindsey Lunney and Ashley Wolf, son-in-law Grant Lunney, former husband Kenny Wolf, sisters Karen Hocking and Martha Bitar and their children, brother-in-law Bill Hocking, and her many students and friends, especially Shirley Brice Heath, Monette McIver, Donna Begley, Darcy Ballentine, and Dog Olivia. In Charlotte's Web, one of Shelby's favorite books, the narrator muses that "It's not often someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. [Shelby] was both." And much, much more. A Memorial Service will be held at the Flatirons Club in the Folsom Field Clubhouse on Sunday November 10th from 1:30-3:00pm to celebrate the beautiful life that was Once Upon a Time.