Ursula Quandt

Ursula Quandt, aged 90, passed away on the night of September 20, in Chandler Hall, in Newtown, PA.

A fiercely independent woman, she struggled with the loss of that independence after suffering a stroke in late July.

Ursula’s life read like a novel – a journey that encompassed three continents and three countries. After her family emigrated from Germany to Brazil after World War I, she was born to Albert and Frida Adomeit in the tiny rural town of Penha do Norte, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. She would be one of seven siblings. At three months old, her family returned to Germany – Berlin, specifically – where she endured the entirety of World War II for the first 10 years of her life, losing her beloved brother, Hans, in combat. At age 12, her family was granted passage for a return to Brazil. At the age of 14, and after learning Portuguese, she began working, eventually applying her bilingual skills, determination, and work ethic to obtain respectable positions with German companies in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

In Sao Paulo is where she met her mate for life, Guilherme (known to everyone as Willy). They married when she was 19, in 1955, and immediately started their young family – first Harry, then Karin. In 1962, the young family emigrated to the US in a pursuit of better economic opportunities, but returned, disillusioned, to Brazil 1-1/2 years later. The return to Brazil was not what they had hoped for, and, in 1965, they returned permanently to the US, starting out in Whitestone, NY. Now, needing to learn English as well, Ursula focused on raising the family. By 1968 they had saved enough to buy a house in Hazlet, NJ.

By now the children were old enough for Ursula to take on part-time work. She worked for various companies – Charles of the Ritz, Abraham & Strauss, The Switzerland Cheese Association, American Lumber and, finally, Imperial Oil – all while navigating the challenges of adolescence and young adulthood.

Ursula had an inner strength and resilience that defined everything she did. She was hardened by her young experiences and had little tolerance for ineptitude. Her work ethic and resolve were an inspiration.

Through it all, her true spirit was defined by her adoration for small children and animals. She adored her grandchildren, and later, her great-grandchildren, and doted on them and spoiled them at every opportunity. She loved animals – cats and dogs, in particular, flowers, and birds. She was intelligent and curious, and knew more about the world and the way things work than anyone might have expected. Her message to the younger generations was the promotion of hard work, determination, taking responsibility, and the philosophy of reaping what you sow.

Ursula will be sorely missed on so many different levels. The way she cared for Willy throughout his protracted decline, her loyalty to family and friends, her “constructive criticism”, and all the nuances of her influence on us all, through a perspective that was sometimes not so intuitive.

Ursula was predeceased by her siblings, Hans, Curt, Herta Kowalski, Herbert, and Werner, and is survived by her remaining sister, Irene Reinhold. She is also survived by her son, Harry (Sandy), and daughter Karin Trunz (Hardo); grandchildren, Mischa Trunz, Calla Breniak (David), Leanna Applegate (Alex), and Jamie Fellin (Kyle); and great-grandchildren, Rhiannon, Rowan and Serena Applegate, Lena Breniak, and Avacyn Fellin.

Ursula will live forever in our hearts! May she spend eternity in the arms of her beloved Willy!

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

A celebration of life that will include a tribute to Willy Quandt as well, will occur in the not-too-distant future. Further notification will be forthcoming.