WILMINGTON — Ilene Marsha Wolf, 81, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2025, after facing a short but unrelenting battle with cancer.
Ilene was a loving wife, devoted mother and dedicated grandmother. She was always ready with her quick wit and ability to comfortably engage people in open dialog about difficult conversations. No topic was ever off limits. Ilene attended Lafayette Senior High School in Lafayette, LA, graduating in 1962.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in Speech Education at Northwestern University, she later returned to school to earn a law degree from John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL. Ilene was one of the few women in her graduating class and completed school while raising a young daughter at home. She found her calling specializing in Family Law. During her 36 years as an attorney, she also became the first female president of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association from 1987-1988. While Ilene worked full-time as a partner in her law firm, she also volunteered her time as a Seminar Leader with Landmark Education.
While inspiring seminarians to live their best lives, she was living hers. While working with Landmark, Ilene met her husband Steve Stolerow, and they were happily married for 29 years. Ilene was the cherished mother of Natalie (Ray) Sheedy and Daniel (Coral Xu) Wolf; stepmother of Rob (Stacey Seaver) Stolerow and David (Michelle) Stolerow. Ilene was also the proud bubby to Devin, Colin, Elly, Hailey, Venus, Autumn and Annabel.
Born in Chicago, Ilene was the daughter of Samuel and Lillian Gothelf. Ilene is survived by her sisters Toby Ellis, Barbara (Fred Rosenberg) Berman, and Francine Lightell, as well as numerous nieces and nephews she maintained a special relationship with throughout her life. After retirement, Ilene volunteered as a Guardian ad Litem, a volunteer liaison representing the best interests of minor children during legal proceedings.
After living in the suburbs of Chicago for 40 years, Steve and Ilene moved to North Carolina where they have lived for the past 10 years enjoying the weather, bridge tournaments, and volunteering on the Magnolia Greens Social Committee. Ilene continued to be a fierce Chicago sports fan rooting for her beloved Bears and Cubs from afar. Ilene’s absence leaves a hole in our lives that words cannot adequately express. Her presence will be missed every time we turn to her for her insightful advice, every time we just need to chat, every time we eat Fudge Pie and of course, every football Sunday.
If you would like to donate to a cause important to Ilene, please choose from one of the options below, or the charity of your choice.
A memorial service will be held at Andrews Mortuary 1617 Market Street, Wilmington NC on December 14 at 2:00 PM.
A private memorial will follow in mid-January in the Chicagoland area, with details to follow.
If you have any stories to share about Ilene, her family would love to hear them. Please email them to nws@nataliesheedy.com.
