Ursula Rose Williams
Obituary
Ursula "Ursi" Williams passed away peacefully at midnight, May 27, 2022. Born Ursula Rose Maag on August 17, 1931 in Richterswil, Switzerland to Max and Hedwig Maag, Ursi led an exceptional life. Earning Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education at the University of Zurich, this post-war period saw very few Swiss women progressing toward college degrees. She mastered 6 languages and relished her post-graduation years as an elementary school teacher in her hometown of Affoltern am Albis.
Seeking adventure, Ursi traveled to the United States in 1957 to work as a governess in the San Francisco Bay Area. She had planned on staying only a year but fell in love with California's beauty and warm climate. While visiting the Japanese Tea Gardens in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, Ursi met the love of her life, Jack Williams, an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration. After marrying in 1960 in Carson City, Nevada, Ursi and Jack had two sons and raised the family in San Jose initially, before moving south to Harmony Hills above San Juan Bautista in 1968.
As a homemaker during these years, Ursi was the family's master chef, Cub Scout den mother, elementary school room mom, and so much more. However, she always considered herself a teacher, providing strong academic guidance to her sons through high school and tutoring several other children over the years. Once her sons left home for college, Ursi returned to the professional ranks, first as a school tutor and special needs teacher at San Juan's elementary school, then as an office manager for a canning equipment manufacturer in Hollister.
Following the loss of husband Jack in 2010, Ursi moved to the Sonoma Hills Retirement Community in 2015 to be nearer her sons. Ursi loved Sonoma, and particularly her wonderful caregiver for the last 2-1/2 years, Torika. She is survived by her sons (Daniel) Brian Williams (wife Suzanne) and (Donald) Evan Williams (wife Elizabeth), and by one grandson Vitaliy.
Celebration of life services are being planned, and Ursi will be buried alongside Jack at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella California.
Published in Hollister Free Lance · June 7, 2022