Hanson-Mary F. (York) Wolfe , Social Worker, formerly of Somerville, Cataumet and Whitman, died peacefully at her daughter’s home in Whitman on May 14, 2010. She was 95.
Mrs. Wolfe was the daughter of George Monroe York and Marian Swasey York, and former wife of Robert P. Wolfe of Connecticut. Mother of Robert P. Wolfe Jr. of Concord, N.H. and Barbara Derosier of Whitman. She was pre deceased by her brothers Gordon B. York of N.Y.C. and Green Valley, Arizona, Dr. Richard H. York of Cataumet, Ma. her sister Barbara Linscott of Long Branch, N.J. She leaves her grandchildren Jeanne Kukuruza, Jennifer Blake and James Derosier, Julie Pitts, Kristin Mullen and Robert Wolfe and eight great grandchildren.
Born in Somerville,April 16, 1915, Mrs. Wolfe graduated from Somerville High School in 1932, Colby Jr. College in 1934, Boston University School of Religious Education and Social Work with B.S. in Social Science in 1937 and received a Master’s Degree in Social Science from Boston University in 1962.
During her early field work she lived in residence for one year at East Boston Marginal Street Settlement House under supervision of East Boston Social Centers, responsible for starting an older girl’s department and assisting in a new preschool group. After receiving her BS. she was employed as an epidemiologist by Mass. Dept. of Public Health and Boston Children’s Hospital Social Service Dept. in a cooperative program with six Boston Hospitals for four years.
For 25 years (1954-1978) Mrs. Wolfe was employed by Mass Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in their regional Brockton office. Following retirement, she joined the MSPCC Board of Directors and for four years assisted in the management of their Hands Down Thrift Shop in Brockton. She actively participated in starting the MSPCC annual Children’s Christmas Store. She was a certified home health aid, a member of N.A.S.W., The Academy of Certified Social Workers and a licensed Mass. independent social worker. She was a member of the Whitman Congregational Church.
Graveside service will be announced at a later date. Visitation omitted by request. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the MSPCC “Special Fund”, 99 Summer St., Boston, Ma. 02110 or Heifer Project International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR. 72202.