Mary K. Wolff, M.A. ’75, of Arlington, Massachusetts, died Aug. 23, 2026, following a years-long battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Wolff was born in Dayton, Ohio, on Sept. 3, 1946, and attended Corpus Christi Grade School and Julienne High School. She received a bachelor of arts degree in history and philosophy from Duquesne University, a master of arts degree in folklore from Indiana University, and a master of arts degree in dance performance and choreography from UCLA.

Wolff enjoyed a long career as a dancer and choreographer. At the time of her death, she was professor emerita at the Boston Conservatory of Music at Berklee College in Boston, where she had been a faculty member from 1976 to 1982 and 1988 to 2021, teaching courses in dance composition and dance history, and producing annual concerts of student choreography. 

Wolff was an outgoing, positive, life affirming person who lived life to the fullest, including frequently going folk dancing and practicing tai chi, until the last few days of her life. She was blessed with a devoted son, Clayton Wolff Burke. She loved living in the Boston area. She had many dear friends, a small group of whom she affectionately referred to as her Trowbridge Street Friends.

Wolff was preceded in death by her parents, William H. and Grace Wolff of Dayton, and her sister, Sue Ann McMakin of Midlothian, Virginia. She is survived by her son, Clayton, his wife Tiffany, and their child and Mary’s grandson, Quillen Burke, all of Somerville, Massachusetts. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in law, William H. Wolff, Jr., and Penny Wolff, of Dayton, and an extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews and their families, who live throughout the United States.

A celebration of Wolff’s life will occur on a later date at a yet to be determined venue in the Boston area. Inquiries can be directed to Clayton Burke at marykwolfflegacy@gmail.com.