Ursula W. Harper

WORCESTER -- Ursula Wilhelm Harper, a remarkable wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2022, at the age of 94. Ursula was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Robert and Norma Wilhelm on November 2, 1928. Ursula, who touched the lives of so many with her kindness, is survived by her husband, Dr. Robert (Bob) Harper, to whom she was blissfully married for 68 years; her children, who she deeply cherished, Betsy and her husband Dana Reed, Amy and her husband Bruce Munger, Rob and his wife Colleen, and her son-in-law Dr. Christopher Nice, who was married to Ursula's oldest daughter Dr. Susan Harper, who predeceased her, and who Ursula missed terribly each and every day. Ursula is also survived by eight grandchildren, who gave her joy on a daily basis, Katie Nice Parente and her husband Chris Bachand-Parente, Andrew Reed, Emily Nice Pacult and her husband Dr. Mark Pacult, Ursula Munger Livermore and her husband Jay Livermore, Hannah Nice, Heidi Munger, and Robby and Ryan Harper. Ursula was also thrilled to have spent time with her new great-grandchildren twins, Austin and Sofia Parente. Her two wonderful sisters, Maria and Norma and her loving nieces and nephews also survive her. She also leaves behind her beloved dog Mandy who spent hours sitting by her side.

Despite being born with a visual impairment which caused her to be legally blind, Ursula never allowed her disability to define her or to interfere with her goals and dreams in life. She graduated as valedictorian from Upper Darby High School in Pennsylvania and went on to the School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania (class of 1950) and received her master's in education there as well. UPenn is also where she met the love of her life, Bob, who was a medical student at the time, and they married in 1954. After receiving her Masters, Ursula taught 4th-grade school at the Haverford School in Haverford, Pennsylvania. When she and Bob moved to Boston for his residency, Ursula taught elementary school in the Weston Public School system until she and Bob moved to Worcester, Bob's hometown, where they lived for more than 60 years and raised an extremely close-knit, happy family. Her dream in life was to have a household full of love, and she created and lived out her dream.

Because Ursula was so warm and generous, Ursula's home became a bustling hub of activity for the entire neighborhood. The house was often packed with neighborhood kids who could be found sledding down the backyard hill, playing Kick the Can or Capture the Flag in the backyard, gathering to Trick or Treat, or stopping by to hang out and raid the cookie cabinet which was always open and available to all. In addition to creating such a fun-filled home, she never took anything for granted and truly understood the value of giving back to the community. She was the President of the Memorial Hospital Aid Society, often flipping burgers in the hospital coffee shop. Ursula joined the Members Council at the Worcester Art Museum, where she received the Volunteer of Merit Award and gave tours to many groups including to school groups with her children, who watched her with great pride. She was the President of the PTA at the elementary school and collected donations door-to-door for the United Way.

Nothing gave Ursula more joy in life than watching her grandchildren grow and thrive, and her grandchildren could feel her deep love and devotion. Ursula was the consummate cheerleader, attended nearly every sporting event, and was there for major life achievements, birthdays, music recitals, and graduations for each and every grandchild. She was a competitive super fan watching baseball, figure skating, ice hockey, basketball, squash, field hockey, cross-country skiing, soccer, and golf often bundled up in a blanket on cold days and nights but always there to support her family. Her summers were filled with happiness as the family loaded up their cars and headed to the beach in Avalon, New Jersey, the same beach that Ursula walked as a small child. Her entire family joined her, including her sisters and nieces and nephews, because above all else, she valued and cherished time with her family. She loved the hustle and bustle of twenty people packed into the house filled with love - this put Ursula on cloud nine.

Ursula was universally loved by everyone who met her. Her generosity of heart, kindness, warmth, tenacity, and grace defined her. Her sweet, gentle, and genuine smile lit up a room. She never passed judgment or spoke poorly of anyone. Ursula had an extremely positive outlook on life and always looked for and found the good in everyone who crossed her path. She was a selfless person who always put her needs last. She never wanted anyone to feel excluded and made everyone feel as though they were the most important person when they were with her. She cherished everyone who touched her life.

Ursula and Bob had an adventurous spirit and traveled around the world visiting over one hundred countries. She hopped in a dugout canoe and traveled down the Amazon River, rode a donkey down the side of the Grand Canyon, traveled on an ice breaker boat to the North Pole where she watched Bob jump into the frigid waters, and slept in a tent in the African jungle with elephants roaming outside their tent door. With remarkable devotion to her family, she and Bob carried souvenirs back from every location for every family member. She loved music and as a result Bob, an avid sports fan, also learned to love music. Bob and Ursula had season tickets to the opera in New York City and visited monthly to enjoy the music, which gave Ursula so much joy.

Ursula was a spectacular role model who will be sorely missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing her. She shaped her family, passed on her values, kindness, and warmth to her children and grandchildren who could not have asked for a more loving and devoted mother and grandmother to guide them through their lives. Bob often comments to his children that he 'picked a great mother for his kids.' She was simply the best!

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Ursula's family from 3 to 6 pm on Saturday, December 10, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. Interment will be held privately at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Webster.

In lieu of flowers, Ursula requested that donations be made to the Landmark School in Beverly, Massachusetts because she witnessed firsthand the impact that this school had on her grandson's life. She also would have been happy for people to make a donation to a charity of their choice. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit the "Tribute Wall" on this page.