Mary Jean Summers Wolf, "Queen Jean, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 9, surrounded by her family at UCSF Medical Center.

Born in 1916 in Hammonton, California, Jean was the middle of 3 daughters born to Molly and Mark LaFore Summers. Her father was a mining engineer, so the family moved many times following the gold in California and Nome, Alaska. It was in Nome where Mary Jean was part of the diphtheria generation. Her father's dog sled teams were led by the famous dogs Balto and Togo, and these dog teams and their mushers defined the original Iditarod Run, transporting the serum from Anchorage to Nome to avert the diphtheria epidemic.

Jean attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and delighted in experiencing the natural beauty in the canyons she loved. She moved west to marry engineer Raymond Wolf, a San Francisco native, and lived the next 80 years here where she raised 3 children, the center of her life. All summers were spent at her beloved Blue Lakes providing the natural environment she so cherished and graciously shared with many generations, teaching the lessons of "the web of life."

For 18 years she created costumes for hundreds of students for the plays and musicals at Saint Ignatius College Prep. and was a consummate fabric artist creating hundreds of original needlepoint panels, vestments, woven fabrics, unique garments and a set of sails that circumnavigated the globe with her son Stephen. Over the last 15 years she prepared meals for hundreds of S.I. students attending the Art and Nature Intensive. She possessed a thirsty mind, a mechanical bent, and an eye for beauty.

Her greatest gift was her ability to talk with, relate to, and counsel those who sought her company. She befriended hundreds of people, many of whom needed someone to understand them, while others simply wanted a good companion. Her 102 years were fully alive as she responded to life with an extraordinary sense of grace, generosity, creativity and compassion. Jean is predeceased by her husband Raymond and son Raymond. Her brilliant legacy lives on in her son Stephen (Margo), granddaughters Malima and Violetta, and in her daughter Katie, granddaughter Cordelia, and great-granddaughter Charleigh Grace -- and in all those she loved and mentored throughout her life.

A celebration of Jean's life will be held on Sunday Dec. 2nd at 11 am in Orradre Chapel, 2001 37th Ave. San Francisco, Ca. 94116.
In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Jean's work with young people can be made to help restore the Art and Nature Preserve devastated by the Mendocino Complex fires last summer. Checks can be mailed to Katie Wolf, 2001 37th Ave. San Francisco, Ca. 94116 or to a charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Oct. 22 to Oct. 23, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Jean Wolf

3 Entries

Pat Murphy

November 18, 2018

Katie,

I just learned of your mom's death. What a brilliant life she led. Sending you my condolences and a warm hug.

Patty Feeney Burkard

October 24, 2018

I think I just erased a long message to your family so I will just repeat how much your mom and family meant to our mom and family. So many good memories and times. Patty Feeney Burkard

October 24, 2018

Dear Katie and Steve and families,
Vinnie let me know that your mom had passed away recently. So many years have passed but the memories of your moms friendship with my mom are still fresh. I remember how much my mom enjoyed walking across the street many a morning to have coffee, cigarettes and a gab fest with Jean. Do people do that anymore? You were lucky to have your mom for such a long full and meaningful life and we were all lucky to have had Jean in ours.
I'm sitting here reliving my childhood on Hugo Street as I write this, The Wolf's, Puccini's etc. wonderful memories. Hope all is well with you and your families. All the best. Patty Feeney Burkard

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