Michele Wolfe Dickstein
1950 - 2025
Born in Queens, New York, Michele Wolfe Dickstein put herself through school at the City University of New York, where she earned an Associate of Applied Science degree and a license to practice as a Registered Nurse. She moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1978.
Michele was independent, strong, and fiercely compassionate. A nurse for 40 years, she sought work where she could care for people who lived in San Francisco's margins. Michele took great satisfaction in her work at SF General Hospital, the San Francisco County Jail, and the Tom Waddell Urban Health Clinic in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood.
Michele volunteered in many ways and throughout her life. She traveled to Peru several times in the 1980s to volunteer as a nurse. She became certified as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster children, and brought a boy, Hector, back with her to San Francisco. Michele fostered Hector so he could have leg surgery in the U.S., treatment he couldn't get in Peru. After caring for Hector, Michele realized she wanted a child of her own.
In 1992, Michele adopted Ben, her pride and joy, and worked diligently to raise him as a single mom. Michele was an amazing mother to Ben, and a strong advocate. When Ben was very young she brought him to Martin de Porres House of Hospitality. Every Thanksgiving, Michele and Ben served unhoused San Franciscans there. Beginning in 2015, Michele volunteered at Martin's twice each week.
When Ben and Maria brought their daughter Em into her life, Michele was over the moon ... she had never imagined that she would experience the bliss and delight of being a grandmother.
Michele also loved animals. She filled her home with pictures and figurines of elephants, and on a vacation in Thailand she volunteered at an elephant nature park - an adventure Michele cherished for the rest of her life. An eclectic succession of dogs and cats joined Michele's family, and she provided a secure and loving home for her many rescues. Michele kept her car stocked with bags of dog food to give to homeless people so their canine companions would not go hungry.
In Michele's spare time she painted prolifically in both oils and water colors. She was a collector of African and Indigenous art, and was an avid reader.
Michele died on September 12, 2025. She was 74. Michele is survived by her son Ben, her daughter-in-law Maria, and her granddaughter Esmeralda; by her half-sister Joan and cousins Shari and Vicki on her father's side; by cousins Steve, Laurie, David, Debbie, Susan, Julie, and Melissa on her mother's side; by her beloved Siberian Husky, Athena; and by a host of longtime, loyal, and loving friends.
Memorial contributions can be made to Martin De Porres House of Hospitality in San Francisco, <https://martindeporres.org/>.
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