Abbe Wolfsheimer-Stutz, an eight-year member of the San Diego City Council, died Thursday at her home in La Jolla, according to her son, Marc Wolfsheimer. The news was first posted Friday by San Diego Jewish World.
No cause of death was announced. She was 75.
Marc Wolfsheimer described his mother as “a critical thinker – someone who would analyze, investigate and educate herself on matters before making decisions. Whether it was an important land-use vote before the City Council, or mapping out her next world-wide travel destination and itinerary, she would apply her education, passion for the truth, and analytical mind to produce the best result possible.”
She married her first husband, Louis Wolfsheimer, in 1958. The couple moved to San Diego and had two children – Alison and Marc – living most of those married years in Pacific Beach and then settling in La Jolla. She married Deputy District Attorney David Stutz in 1994.
Abbe Wolfsheimer-Stutz served on numerous local boards, commissions, and charitable organizations and was well-known and respected in social circles.
She was an especially strong advocate for the arts, her son said in an obituary, serving on the board of COMBO (The Combined Arts and Education Council of San Diego County) where she conducted numerous fundraising events for the local arts organization.
She also served on the Board of Directors for the Malashock Dance Company since its inception. She was active with the Salk Institute Auxiliary, and was a strong supporter of KPBS.
In 1974, she became a professor of real property at Western State University Law School in San Diego where she taught for 11 years.
She served as District 1 councilwoman for two terms — 1985-1993.
Her son said she was instrumental in laying the groundwork for what is now the state Route 56 connecting the I-5 and I-15 freeways.
“Her proudest accomplishment, however, was the establishment of the 92,000-acre San Dieguito River Park and (its managing arm) the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, where she remained on the Advisory Board,” her son wrote.
Wolfsheimer-Stutz is survived by her husband, David; her two children, Alison and Marc; daughter-in-law Monica; her stepchildren Kristen and Daniel; and four granddaughters – Marissa, Sarah, Olivia and Amelia.
The family said a private ceremony will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jewish Family Services.
