Dr. Sheila Ruth Hollander

Dr. Sheila Ruth Hollander, a loving mother and an adoring grandmother, a gifted teacher, an engaging conversationalist, and a loyal friend, died Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Baptist Hospital. She was 89.

Born in St. Louis, Sheila came into the world blessed with beauty and armed with a sharp wit and a keen intellect that she shared with others as a teacher, a mentor and as a friend. The daughter of Florette Hecht and Irwin Robert Hollander, Sheila moved to Memphis with her family when she was only five. By that time, she already understood that the world was filled with wonder and excitement, and that she was going to embrace it.

She attended Washington University in St. Louis, only to return home after a year where she married and started a family of her own. As the years passed, her curiosity got the best of her, and she knew she needed more. She completed her undergraduate and master's degrees at the University of Memphis and received her Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, graduating magna cum laude when she was nearly 50 years old. She became an adjunct professor of philosophy at the University of Memphis where she taught philosophy, logic, and medical ethics for more than 30 years.

Sheila was an unrelenting advocate for the value of a good education, dedicating herself to the success of her students. She had a unique ability to transcend life's challenges with a determined yet graceful embrace of life and learning, which made her a source of inspiration for a large circle of friends and admiring students.

Honored by the University of Memphis during Women's History Month in 2015, one of her former students said of Sheila: "She exemplifies several attributes all women should possess, such as respect, compassion, kindness, generosity, and strength. She is the embodiment of the ideal woman and human."

Although her passion was teaching, she enjoyed traveling and was invigorated by adventure and new experiences. According to her faith, the world depends on loving deeds, and Sheila lived up to that precept. She spent her free time teaching the Great Books Program to elementary school children. She was a member of the National Council of Jewish Woman, was a past president of the Salon Circle, and, with her former husband, the late Arthur J. Wolff, she helped to organize and bring the Israel Scout Delegation program to Memphis.

But her greatest love in life was her family, including her dear and longtime partner, Andrew Goodman. Sheila also leaves her son, Bradley Edward Wolff and her daughter, Laura Wolff Morris (John), both of Memphis; her stepdaughter, Janice Thorpe (Anthony) of Colorado; her stepson, Jeff Goodman (Tonya) of Virginia; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved big sister, Arlene Hollander Gritz, whom she adored.

A memorial service for Sheila will be held at 4 p.m., Monday, July 18, at the Levy-Cooper Chapel at Temple Israel Cemetery, 1708 Hernando Road, Memphis.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you remember Sheila with a donation to the Temple Israel Museum, 1376 East Massey Road, Memphis, Tenn. 38120, or to an educational or medical research institution of your choice.