Florence Wolff

Dr. Florence I Wolff, Professor of Communication, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, died on Friday, January 4, 2013 at her residence in Littleton, Colorado. She was recognized locally and nationally as a renowned teacher, author and speaker. She was 93 years old.

Dr. Wolff served on the University of Dayton faculty for 30 Years; she received Outstanding Teacher Awards from the State of Ohio and the University of Dayton. She was elected to Councilor, Executive Secretary and President of the Religious Speech Communication Association, and was a founder and life member of the International Listening Association. She also was Director of WITS (Wolff Innovative Training Systems). Dr. Wolff authored articles and a major text, Perceptive Listening, a landmark writing in the area of listening. She gained a reputation as a corporate consultant and seminar director in listening communication.

Dr. Wolff earned a bachelor’s degree from Temple University on a Senatorial Scholarship; a master’s degree at Duquesne University, and a doctorate degree at the University of Pittsburgh. She was the first woman to teach at the all-boys Central District Catholic High School; later she taught at the Allegheny Community College in Pittsburgh. She is noted in Who’s Who of American Women, The Directory of American Scholars, and The National Register of Prominent Americans and International Notables.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John M. Wolff, Captain, USNR, retired, her oldest son John Shanor, her infant daughter Marla LaVern, and daughter-in-law, Katherine L. (Reinstedler) Wolff. She is survived by daughters, F. Joy and son-in-law Stanley Koplinski in Pittsburgh, M. Nadine Wolff and son-in-law Jan Alan Dickover in Denver, Celeste and son-in-law Chris Collier in Indianapolis; sons J. Blaner and daughter-in-law Chun Paz Wolff in Atlanta, J. Craig in Oxford, NC, one nephew, David McLaughlin in North Grafton, MA, and five grandchildren – Emma Denise Wolff, Leah Diane Wolff, John M. Wolff, Marissa Collier and Dean Collier.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Florence I. Wolff Scholarship at the University of Dayton. Please mail contributions to the University of Dayton, 300 College Park Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45469-2961. Please annotate on your check, Florence I. Wolff Scholarship, #47191.