Obituaries

Eleanor Herstein Wolff

Photo of Eleanor Herstein Wolff
ELEANOR HERSTEIN WOLFF was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 13, 1927, to Sylvia and Abe Herstein. She passed away February 9, 2022, in Little Rock, Ark., after a short illness due to Covid Pneumonia. She began life as a 2.5-pound twin and although tiny, she thrived. She was a member of the Sybil Shearer Modern Dance Company in Northbrook, Illinois. Following her marriage in 1953, she lived in Bethesda, Md., and Philadelphia, Penn., before moving to Little Rock in 1972. Eleanor earned a B.F.A. degree at Tyler School of Art, Temple University in Philadelphia, Penn., in 1971. She taught art in the VIPS program of the Little Rock public schools and Sunday School at Temple B'nai Israel, Little Rock. Elee, as she is known to friends and family, was employed from 1977-1995 at the McClellan Veterans Administration Hospital. She was a member of Congregation Temple B'nai Israel and Arkansas Hadassah. Eleanor had a love of fiber arts and served as president of the Arkansas Weavers Guild. She was awarded numerous prizes at various exhibitions throughout Arkansas for her weaving. In April 2003, she was invited to exhibit her weavings in a one-woman retrospective show at the Decorative Arts Museum of the Arkansas Arts Center. In addition to weaving, Elee worked in other mediums, including ceramics, drawing, and enamel cloisonne. She had a special interest in designing and making her own jewelry. She had a love of houseplants, indoor and outdoor gardening. Elee enjoyed sharing her love of art and plants with her friends. She met the love of her life, George, while attending a lecture at the University of Chicago Campus in 1952. George told a friend he knew the moment he saw her they were destined to be together forever. They were wed in 1953 and had 59 years together, sharing adventures around the world. George passed away in 2012 and Elee's love for him never faded. Eleanor was a loving wife, mother, and friend to many. She will be missed immensely. She is survived by her children, David B Wolff and Adrienne A Grossbard (Jeremy); and her twin sister, Esther Langer of Chicago; and multiple nieces and nephews. A graveside service, officiated by Rabbi Barry Block, will be held on Sunday, February 13, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. at Oakland Jewish Cemetery, Little Rock, Ark. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to National Conference of Christians and Jews, Congregation B'nai Israel, Heifer Project International, or The Southern Poverty Law Center. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com.

Published February 13, 2022

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