Marcella Marie Ulrich

Marcella Marie Heger Ulrich, 77, of Houston, TX, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 7, 2025. She was born to Henry and Marie (Smahlik) Heger on March 1, 1948, in Columbus, TX.

Marcella grew up in Brazoria, TX, until she relocated to Houston, where she attended Sacred Heart Dominican College, obtaining her bachelor's degree in nursing.

Marcella married Winfried in 1972, and together they shared 52 years of marriage. They raised two children and were blessed with four grandchildren. Marcella and Winfried loved traveling, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. They also took great pride in caring for their farm in Shiner, TX, where Marcella especially loved watching the beautiful sunsets over the pasture, often with a glass of wine in hand.

Marcella was an accomplished quilter who created many beautiful quilts that will be treasured by her family for generations to come. Her creativity extended well beyond quilting—she also loved painting, sewing, and cross-stitch, finding joy in creating with her hands.

Above all, Marcella loved her family and friends. She enjoyed hosting gatherings at her home in Houston with Winfried, welcoming family and friends to celebrations filled with laughter, incredible food, and the warmth of the beautiful home and backyard they created together. Known as the life of the party, Marcella's radiant smile and joyful spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A caregiver at heart, Marcella was devoted not only to her family and friends but also to her patients and her career at Methodist Hospital. She began her career as a registered nurse in the Houston Medical Center in 1970 and retired in 2010. Throughout her career, she worked in several units at Methodist, concluding 40 years of dedicated service in the heart and lung transplant unit, where her compassion and commitment touched countless lives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Winfried Ulrich, and her parents, Henry and Marie Heger. Survivors are her son, Chris Ulrich (Leslie); daughter, Katherine Morsbach (Zach); granddaughters, Megan, Brooklyn, Madeleine, and Hannah; sister, Augusta Greco (Carl); and brother, Joe Heger (Janice).

A Rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Moulton, TX, with Rev. Gabriel Maison officiating. Lunch will follow.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Let's Talk Dementia, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.