Ursula Heath

Ursula Heath was born in Berlin, Germany in 1920 and immigrated to America with her German parents, Hedwig and Alexander Kahle, arriving at Ellis Island in 1923.

Ursula grew up in Hollywood, Calif., where her father was a photographer in the movie industry. In 1939, at 18 years old, she and her girlfriend traveled alone to England and France, touring on bicycles and staying at youth hostels. She ended her trip in Germany where she visited relatives. On her journey home, World War II started.

After graduating from UCLA, Ursula married William (Bill) Heath and started to raise their family in Los Angeles. They had three children: Alexis, Bill and Jim. Bill Sr.'s firm assigned him the task of developing the new town of White Rock, NM. This resulted in Ursula and her family moving to New Mexico in 1962. The family thrived in their new surroundings. Ursula became a 2nd grade school teacher at Pinon Elementary; the children attended local schools, and Bill eventually started his own construction company. In 1971, while two children attended college, Bill's work took the family to Puerto Rico, back to Los Alamos for a year, then to southern California, Alaska, and Saudi Arabia. Throughout each of these moves, Ursula set up each new household.

After her husband's death in 1978, Ursula returned to Los Alamos where she involved herself in her community, volunteering at the Los Alamos Historical Museum, helping immigrants assimilate, the Fuller Lodge Art Center and reading for the News Line for the Blind. She marveled watching her two granddaughters, Clarissa and Erika, grow up and thrive. During this period, Ursula traveled to Scotland, Greece, Germany, Mexico, England, Russia, Egypt, and China, as well as many US destinations.

In 2011 she moved to Denver to be closer to her two sons and share in exploring the city and watching the world go round. She peacefully passed away Dec. 29, 2015 after a short stay in hospice at the age of 95.

As per her wishes, there will be no formal services and she hoped that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to Planned Parenthood or NPR.

A personal note from her children:
Our mother was intensely curious, politically passionate, and a lover of the moon, sunsets, trees, and all things green. She loved her children and grandchildren, always looking out for their well being. She was independent, of strong convictions, and outgoing - which was contrary to her nature. She was a fan of early Hollywood, big band music and rich desserts. Our mother was always striving to be "better" and cared deeply about our society. She laughed easily, shared stories freely, and had a true zest for life. She will be missed dearly.