Ursula Endicott, 85, of Burnstown, ON, died peacefully in her sleep at home on April 23, 2024.
She was born on Dec. 22, 1938 to Johanna (Lipinsky) Wittmann and Franz Wittmann in Kassel, Germany, which was bombed during the Second World War, after which they relocated to Gaggenau in the Black Forest. Her mother was a nurse and her father an automotive design engineer for Mercedes-Benz.
Ursula attended high school in Baden-Baden, then courageously travelled to England for secretarial college, paying her own way by working as an au pair.
When she returned to West Germany speaking fluent English, she took a clerical job at the Canadian base at Baden-Soellingen, where her beautiful smile was quickly noticed by a young fighter pilot, Bob Endicott. She agreed to marry him without ever having set foot in Canada. Their first posting was to Metz, France, and afterward with son Tom, they landed in Canada and first lived in the cold north in Gimli, Manitoba, where they had their second child, Christine. The next posting to San Antonio, Texas was thankfully much warmer.
In all, Ursula lived a fun-filled life in four countries, following Bob in his fighter pilot career and enjoying parties with their friends, travel, wine and crafts (notably macramé) before returning to work as a purchasing assistant for the Canadian federal government in Greenwood, NS then Ottawa. She liked her work but especially enjoyed retirement, which gave her time for swimming at their cottage in Sharbot Lake, going to aquafit with friends in Orleans, and doting on her five granddaughters. She was kind and generous, and pets followed her around, knowing she always had treats for them.
Following Bob’s death to cancer, she met and married Claus Arp and moved into the home he had built by the Madawaska River, where they swam all summer. She and Claus travelled around four continents together – Asia, South America, North America and frequently Europe. They loved cruises and beach holidays in Cuba, where they laughed and danced.
Ursula is survived by her second husband Claus Arp; her son Thomas Endicott (Michelle) of Stittsville; her daughter Christine Endicott of Vancouver; her grandchildren Alyssa Endicott (Ryan McGuinness), Sydney Endicott (Josh Nadeau), Kelly Anne Arsenault-Fee (Devin), Savanna Endicott (Jack Dunne), and Johanna Fee (Edward Wang); her brother Hans-Joachim Wittmann (Liliane) and sister Dagmar Guenter in Germany; Karen Arp and Steve Osborne; as well as many nieces and nephews in Canada and Germany.
She was predeceased by her parents Franz and Hanna Wittmann, her first husband Robert Endicott, her son-in-law Jon Fee and her brother-in-law Erich Guenter.
Friends are invited to gather at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave. for Celebration of Life on Tuesday June 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. Interment will follow.
If desired, donations may be made to the Dementia Society – Ottawa and Renfrew County, the Terry Fox Foundation, or the charity of your choice.
Digital Guestbook
Anne Ecobichon-Morris
John Gardiner
My sincere condolences to Christine and the entire family. The obituary tells of a life well lived. May she rest in peace.
Rod and Joanne Jack
We are so sorry for your loss. Ursula was one of a kind, and we enjoyed many hours with her and Bob, playing bridge at the cottage in Sharbot Lake. She always said, if she went down one, “That’s good bridge!” Our dogs enjoyed their morning treats at the “cookie store”. We also have fond memories of Ursula and Claus visiting at the cottage. We will always remember her.
Jo and Rod
Camillia and Mike Hawkes
We first met Ursula and family as neighours in Greffern, Germany.
As years went by, we kept in touch and always appreciated her welcoming smile.
Condolences to Tom , Christine and to the 5 granddaughters.
John and Rebecca Weaver
Mrs. Endicott (as she will always be remembered to me) was a wonderfully, warm and caring person who made a special effort to ensure that I and a few young OCdt friends of Tom felt very welcome when visiting the Endicott family home in Ottawa many years ago. My sincere condolences to Tom, Christine, to Michelle and to all the grandchildren.
My condolences to all of the family but especially to my cousins Tom and Christine. Many fond memories of your mom and she was much loved by my mom, Elizabeth (Endicott) Ecobichon and my father, Don Ecobichon. Thinking of you all.