Released May 31, 2005

HATTIESBURG – A memorial service is scheduled for noon Friday, June 3, at Danforth Chapel on The University of Southern Mississippi's Hattiesburg campus for Irmgard "Irmi" Wolfe, a retired collection development specialist with Southern Miss' University Libraries, who died Monday, May 30, at Forrest General Hospital. She was 63.

A reception at the home of Dr. Joseph and Theresa Parker will follow immediately after the service.

A native of Munich, Germany, Wolfe attended the University of Munich, where she studied history and English. She received master's degrees in foreign languages and library science from Southern Miss, where she also did graduate study in anthropology, with an emphasis in the field of historical archaeology. She was an avid lover of music, art history and sailing.

In addition to her duties as collection development specialist, Wolfe served as supervisor of the University Libraries' preservation laboratory, which she founded.

"The faculty and staff of the University Libraries are deeply saddened by the loss of Irmi," said University Librarian Kay Wall. "Her compassion for and commitment to others led to many selfless and unsung acts of service. All who knew her will miss her dearly."

Wolfe was a panel member for Mississippi's Old Capitol Museum, serving as a preservation consultant. She also served as editor for The Primary Source, a semiannual publication of The Society of Mississippi Archivists, and was a member of the Mississippi Archaeological Association and the Society of Historical Archaeology.

Her service to the Mississippi Department of Archives was noted in a letter from Elbert Hilliard, director emeritus of the department, who thanked Wolfe for her "efforts to promote the importance of historic preservation and the preservation of the state's documentary heritage."

"Your friendship, support and encouragement have meant a great deal to me," Hilliard wrote.

Associate professor of anthropology Dr. Amy Young described Wolfe as "a little wave of enthusiasm."

"When I came to Hattiesburg in 1995, she was my first student and friend," Young said. "She gently mentored me into the community. She will be so terribly missed."

Survivors include her husband, Dr. James H. Wolfe of Hattiesburg; two daughters, Christine Wolfe of Berlin, Germany, and Karin Wolfe of New York City, N.Y.; and her mother, Maria Pfender, and her sister, Angelika Pfender, both of Munich, Germany.

In lieu of flowers, donations designated in memory of Irmi Wolfe may be made to the Hattiesburg Public Library, 329 Hardy St., Hattiesburg, MS 39401.

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