Ursula M. Heinritz

Ursula M Heinritz May 27, 1930 - May 6, 2025 Ursula Margrit Heinritz (Koch) 94 passed away peacefully at her home in Benicia on Tuesday May 6, 2025. She was born in Luneburg, Germany on May 27, 1930. Ursula had a happy childhood with her parents, Arthur and Emily and her younger brother Wolf Dieter. They lived in high society prior to World War II but the family endured great hardship during the war, which changed life for them as they knew it afterwards. Both Dieter and Ursula chose to come to America after the war to start a new life. They lived together in Berkeley, California, where Ursula studied drafting and architecture at Laney college. During this time she also became a naturalized citizen of the United States. Through her brother Dieter, she met and fell in love with Dietrich Heinritz, who was a student at Cal Berkeley. In 1957 they married and started their lifelong love story which would last 61 years until Dietrich’s death in 2019. They enjoyed life and together they raised their children, Christopher, Elizabeth and Andrew. Ursula adored her children and did her best to give them an amazing childhood. In 1974 they bought their forever home in Benicia, where they would live for the rest of their lives. This home became a constant for everyone. Holidays and gatherings were always spent together there. Keeping family traditions was very important to her. Ursula was a very athletic person. She played competitive tennis until the age of 85, often winning against players half her age. Tennis brought her great joy and was actually her secret to living long and healthy. Throughout her life, she also enjoyed hiking, sailing and kayaking mainly at Echo lake where she spent most summer vacations with the family. Ursula loved being in the garden, she took great pride in her yard and all the beauty brought to it with the flowers and trees she had specifically picked and planted. Ursula also had a love for music and art and together with Dietrich enjoyed the theater, symphony and museums often. They traveled the world together always acquiring special pieces of art from everywhere they went. Once her children were old enough to be alone after school, Ursula worked for various design firms in San Francisco, finally settling in at Mare Island shipyard in Vallejo as a naval architect technician, designing the interiors of submarines and aircraft carriers. At that time she was a woman working in a man’s field….and did it very well. After 17 years there, she chose to retire early when they closed the shipyard in 1994. Ursula had a kind soul, she would do anything she could to help people out. She was truly loved by all who met her. She really was the most caring, generous and compassionate person. She leaves behind a legacy that is truly unique and she will be missed by many. During her life Ursula had three children, eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Each one along with their extended families and anyone who knew Ursula will remember her sweet, kind soul. Rest in peace Ursula, Ushi, Mom, Oma….you will never be forgotten. We will speak your name. ♥️