By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Hortense M. Wolf served on numerous philanthropic, community and religious boards in Greater Cincinnati for several decades. But she always made time for her three children, providing a wonderful childhood.

"She basically filled our home with puzzles, toys, science experiment kits and art supplies to really encourage us to explore and play and create," said her daughter, Nancy Wolf of New York City. "And this stayed with us."

"She had a wonderful intelligence and wit," said son, Roger, of Knoxville, Md.

Mrs. Wolf died Saturday at her home in the Seasons Retirement Community in Kenwood. The former North Avondale and Corinth, Ky. resident was 92.

She was born in 1911 in Peoria, Ill., and earned a bachelor's degree in literature from Northwestern University in Chicago in the early 1930s.

After college, she was a social worker in a settlement house in Chicago. There, she met Joseph Wolf of Pottstown, Pa., who was in Chicago representing his employer, the American Lending Library.

They were married and moved to Cincinnati in 1936, after Mr. Wolf was transferred by his employer. He later purchased two companies to form Zero-Breese Co., a Winton Place roofing and sheet metal company. It is now run by their son, Alan of Kenwood.

During the 1950s and '60s, Mrs. Wolf held leadership and service roles with many organizations centered on her faith. She was chairman of the board of the Jewish Welfare Fund's Women's Division, president of the Jewish Family Services, vice president of the Council of Jewish Women, chair of the Council of Jewish Women's Thrift Shop and a board member of the Jewish Federation and Bonds for Israel.

She also served on the executive committee of the Children's Federation Community Health and Welfare Council, and worked with Family Services Association of America and the Ohio Comprehensive Mental Health Planning Project.

The Wolfs moved in 1969 to a farm in Corinth, Ky., to raise cattle. They stayed there for nearly 30 years.

Her leadership skills continued in Kentucky, where Mrs. Wolf was president of the Friends of Grant County Library.She returned to Cincinnati after her husband died in 1998.

Mrs. Wolf was an avid reader, loved animals and gardening, and attended the opera and symphony.

In addition to her children, survivors include nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at Weil Funeral Home, 8350 Cornell Road, Symmes Township. She will be interred in the United Jewish Cemetery, Clifton. Friends may call at her residence at the Seasons Courtyard after the interment.

Memorials: Jewish Family Services, 11223 Cornell Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45242-1835.