Dorothy "Dolly" Margaret Wolf

Dorothy (Dolly) Margaret Wolf (née Scharpf) of Ellicott City, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2024 after a brief illness. Born in Baltimore on July 24, 1941 to Dorothy (née Meekins) and Karl Scharpf, Dolly is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bill; daughters Suzy Giosa (Eric), Lisa Thurston (Daryn Richards), and Amy Barnes (Eric); grandchildren Dane Thurston, Erin McLamb (Gar), Kara Thurston, Brooke Thurston, Dr. Alex Giosa (fiancé David Cohen), Maya Barnes, and Kelly Barnes; great grandchildren Leah, Caroline, Charlie, Tucker, and Gracie McLamb; and sister Karolyn DiMarco. She was preceded in death by her parents and her only son, Karl Wolf.

The nickname “Dolly” was coined by her aunts because of her tiny stature, a name that has followed her throughout her life. She was often known as “Miss Dolly” by children and adults alike, and when the first grandchild was born, she became “Momom".

Dolly and Bill met in 1958 at a teen center dance and were married at St. Rita’s in Dundalk on February 4, 1961. They moved first from Dundalk to Catonsville, and finally to Ellicott City in 1968. They made lifelong friends in Worthington, and spent many years hosting dance and bridge parties at one another’s homes on the weekends.

Dolly spent many of her childhood summers on the Eastern Shore with her maternal grandparents, crabbing, clamming, and fishing with her father, uncles, and cousins. As an adult, she made routine trips to the Eastern Shore to care for her grandparents. In 1978, Bill and Dolly bought a condominium in Ocean City, MD where they spent many summers with family and new “Beach Hill” friends. Five generations made over 40 years of wonderful memories in Unit 303.

Dolly was the ultimate homemaker, creating a beautiful, warm, and welcoming home. She was the consummate host, making everyone feel comfortable. She loved to decorate for holidays, especially Christmas, and her home was deemed “Christmas Land.” An excellent cook and baker, she often prepared food and baked goods for neighbors, family, and friends for holidays, birthdays, and in times of need.

Her greatest joy came from her family. She was a caretaker, devoted to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, parents, sister, in-laws, and various other relatives and friends. She made space for others, welcoming friends and significant others into the family. She loved to attend the grandchildrens’ school and sporting events, recitals, and concerts, building their social calendar around those commitments. When Bill and Dolly’s son Karl passed away in 1999, they created a scholarship fund for Howard High School lacrosse players, which continues today. They still attend many HHS lacrosse games and look forward to the Karl Wolf Memorial Lacrosse Tournament each spring.

Dolly and Bill were avid bridge players for decades, starting with their neighborhood group of close friends, and eventually joined by their daughter Suzy and her husband Eric. In later years, they enjoyed playing bridge online as well as at various senior centers in Howard County. She was particularly fond of the group she started at the Elkridge Senior Center where she and Bill made many good friends.

She loved to travel and spent the early 2000s touring the US and Europe. Dolly and Bill stayed in close touch with their traveling companions for decades.

Dolly was quick with a smile, laugh, and witty comment. Her no-nonsense attitude and get-things-done mentality served her well. She knew best, and didn’t hesitate to let you know it! One of her favorite lines was: “Move down, clean cups!” (The Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland). She had things to do!

Dolly’s family and friends will miss her dearly.

Gilchrist Center of Howard County took exceptional care of Dolly and her family in the final days of her life. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to https://gilchristcares.org/

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