Ursula Lydia Kuppe

It is with profound sadness that we announce that, after a valiant struggle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, our courageous mother, sister and grandmother, Ursula Lydia Kuppe passed away peacefully with her family at her side on April 5, 2019, in Courtenay, B.C.  Her loss is mourned by her daughter Petra, son-in-law Jon, grandchildren Iain and Andrea, daughter Ulricke, and her remaining family in Germany.  Ursula was predeceased by her long time companion and husband Paul in 2001.

Ursula was born in Gleiwitz Germany (now Poland), the youngest of four children.  She was a little girl during the turbulent war years.  Her family sought refuge in Oldenburg where she later attended high school and completed a printing/stationery apprenticeship.

In May 1959 she immigrated to Hamilton Ontario with her first husband and two daughters.  Life was challenging for immigrants in those days and she worked hard to support and care for her family.  She worked at The Grange Tavern Restaurant and in later years told many interesting tales of the famous musical acts  that performed there.

During her second marriage she began working in the banking industry and lived in Ottawa and North Bay before returning to Hamilton as a single parent in the 1970's.

She enjoyed a thirty year career with the Royal Bank, and was chosen to work at the RBC VISA and Information centre in Mississauga when it was first launched in the 80's.

Over the years, Ursula enjoyed travelling with Paul, and entertaining their circle of friends. Her cooking and baking skills were legendary and she was a creative seamstress.  Passionate about history, travel, music and culture, she had the ability to tell humorous and compelling stories about her varied life experiences.

Ursula was a compassionate person, always interested in other people and helped in whatever way she could.  In life, she was devoted to her family and possessed an engaging and generous spirit.

For over thirty years she lived with a rare, progressive, debilitating disease, Charcot-Marie-Tooth , which affected the use of her extremities, and finally took her voice, speech and breath.  She faced life with courage and dignity, resilience and spirit, and was practical in coping with the effects of her disease and fiercely independent until death.

Ursula resided in the Comox Valley for the past two and one half years so that she could be near her family as her disease progressed.

The family would like to thank Comox Valley Seniors Village, North Island Hospital, CV Hospice Society, B.D. Mitchell, Dr. De Jager, Roland Guenther, Craig Dickson, and Living Room Pharmacy for their excellent care and support.                                                

The family extends its gratitude to Dr. Theresa Wilson, the dedicated staff at Glacier View Lodge, Reverend Keltie Van Binsbergen and Dr. Jonathan Reggler for their compassionate care.

No formal service will be held.  Ursula will be interred beside her husband at Woodland Cemetery in Burlington, Ontario.

Those wishing to honour Ursula's memory may make a donation in her name to Muscular Dystrophy Canada (CMT).