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Edith Wolff Obituary

On Sunday, March 24, 2024 of Bethesda, MD. Born November 1, 1929 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Winifred Horwill and James Russell Clarke, Jr.

Edie attended Smith College and then received her PhD from Harvard (Radcliffe) University. Edie met her husband Jan at Harvard and was married in 1955. She worked as an enzyme biochemist at the National Institutes of Health and as an Editor of the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Edie was an avid walker, skier, hiker, swimmer, sailor and outdoor enthusiast.

She had an incredibly symbiotic marriage of 68 years to Jan Wolff; was a devoted mother of Bretton R. Wolff and Renée S. Wolff (husband, Aleksandar Milosavljevic-Cook); cherished grandmother of Ellyn, Stefan, Lucas, Sofia, and Vivienne; friend to all who met her.

Service and interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to ACLU.

Please view and sign the family guest book at:

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

Published by The Washington Post on Apr. 7, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
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2 Entries

Lesley Maltby

May 5, 2024

I met Edie only a few times, but all were memorable and fun in their own ways. I remember the wonderful day of sailing with Edie, Jan and Bretton in Chesapeake Bay. What a delightful, intelligent, empathetic and energetic lady Edie was! Loved to have debates on various subjects with her.
For her family, my sincerest condolences for your loss of such a wonderful lady. She truly was a delightful person in so many ways.

Pia Rall

April 28, 2024

Eddie was a loyal and fantastic frind to the family of Caroline and Ed Rall. Her lamb stew was legendary and she always would bring it to our family when our Mother was ill. Jan and Edie was like family to the Ralls, our NIH family.

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