August 24, 1955 – November 2, 2013
With her family at her side, Ursula passed away suddenly at St. Joseph’s Hospital Hamilton, on November 2nd, 2013 at the age of 58. Ursula leaves her cherished children Caitlin Lazarus and Brennan Lazarus, her devoted partner Brian Underdown and her extended family Eric, Russell, Margot, Julian, Aubrey and Vivien Underdown. She will be sorely missed by her sister Jackie McGuinness and brother in-law John Boisvenue and her dear cousin Laura O’Connell. Born in Dublin and growing up in Montreal, Ursula was from her earliest years an adventurer. After graduating from McGill, she joined CUSO as a teacher in Nigeria and travelled fearlessly through Africa in troubled times and other exotic places which influenced her decision to develop a career as a scientist devoted to vaccine research. Settling in Hamilton in 1998 Ursula developed a successful practice as a patent agent with Gowlings. Her family will remember her bright spirit, the many shared dinner conversations and her loving support. A visitation will be held on Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. at the Cattel, Eaton & Chambers Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas. A Service Celebrating Ursula’s Life will be held at the Funeral Home on Thursday November 7th at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, would be appreciated by the family.
I will always remember my dear friend Ursula, for her joyful spirit, her humor and sense of fun; as well as the very intelligent friend from whom I sought good council. May she rest in peace!
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Ursula’s untimely death, and extend my heartfelt condolences to members of her family and her many colleagues and friends. Ursula was one of the bright young scientific lights at Connaught laboratories, and her transition from research scientist to patent agent set an example for many. She always had time to help others, and always presented a cheerful and reasoned view of issues that were complicated and/or emotionally laden. She will be sorely missed.
Jan and I were both very sad to hear this. We had shared a number of dinners and other events with Ursula and Brian over the years characterized always by being very loose and open with a revolving cast of family and friends. Great times! We were always welcomed! Ursula was a soft spoken, kind hearted, ethical and very smart lady gone too soon. Thoughts and prayers go out to Brian and family and we will see you soon.
iain and jan
Ursula and Brian were our neighbours for quite a few years. She was a very gracious lady who is sorely missed. My condolences to Brian and all their family.
George and Joanne Browman of Victoria BC send our condolences to our friend and colleague Brian Underdown.
Joanne noted the annoucnement in the newspaper, and we were saddened to hear of this news.
During our 27 years in Hamilton, we got to know Brian and family socially, although we did not get to know Ursula. Brian and I (George) worked closely together at McMaster for many years.
We wanted to let Brian know of our sadness at Ursula’s passing.
We were deeply saddened to learn of Ursula’s death and offer our deepest sympathy to Brian, Caitlin, Brennan, Jackie, John and extended family. We remember with fondness your visits to Ireland and your kind hospitality when any of us travelled to Canada.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
Auntie May, your cousins Ann, Irene, Margaret and their families, Wexford & Dublin, Ireland.
My condolences to Brian and family. Ursula was a good friend back in the Connaught days when we were both working in the Research Department. I will always remember her as kind and friendly person with a smile on her face and frequent giggle.
We were so sorry to hear about Ursula. The world has lost a truly wonderful person. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
We were so shocked to learn that Ursula had died at such a young age. We remember her as a kind, happy and very capable coworker at Connaught who was well-liked and respected by all her colleagues. Ursula always had time to listen to people and hear their stories and concerns. We offer our sincere condolences to Brian and all of their family.
I send my deep condolences to my longtime colleague and friend Brian Underdown, and the family, at the news of Ursula’s untimely and sudden passing.
We were saddened to hear of Ursula’s death and wish to extend our condolences to Brian Caitlin and Brennan and the rest of the family. May she rest in peace.
Aunty Joyce Cousin Maureen Peter and family.
Ursula was such a wonderful person and my mentor back when I first started working at Connaught labs. She brought joy to us all with her outward gentle demeanor and inner fiesty Irish spirit. My sincere condolences to her famiily and all who knew her as she will be sorely missed!
Ursula and I were both posted to Niger State with CUSO, and I remember staying with her on one occasion. In the morning the BBC World Service playing in the background suddenly caught our attention when it announced that there were serious riots in Wushishi, the town where she was posted. We went outside and and there was nothing and no-one in the streets other than the usual goats. “Must be another Wushishi”, she said. That quiet deadpan realism typified the Ursula I knew. I enjoyed the time I spent with her in those two years and regret that I lsot contact with her after that. My condolences to her friends and family.
I was very saddened to hear of Ursula’s unexpected passing. She was a co-worker and friend when we both worked at Connaught Labs years ago and I remember with fondness the good times we had up on the 2nd floor of building 82. My thoughts and prayers are with Brian, their children and their families.
Ann and I are shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Ursula. She was a gentle, kind and gracious person. Our thoughts and prayers are with our dear friend, Brian and his family.
We will miss Ursula very much, particularly how welcome she made us feel when we were visiting Brian and the family in Hamilton. We had some great discussions on all kinds of topics: scientific research, world news, music and, of course, memories of Montreal. In spite of being very busy with a large extended family and career, she was always interested in what was happening in our lives. And we’ll always be grateful for the way Ursula helped care for Brian & Alan’s mother, Margaret. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ursula’s family.
Dear Caitlin and Brennan, we were so shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of your mom. We have warm memories of Ursula because of her kind, friendly and fun nature. We will be thinking of you two and her this week. Your mom will be missed.
As a colleague at Connaught I remember Ursula for her genuine and kind personality and for her good science. Brian and extended family, I hope that the pain of her passing will be gradually replaced by the fond memories of the life that she shared with you.
We are deeply saddened and shocked with the news. She was much too young to be taken away.
Brendan (her cousin) will always have special memories of Ursula, she always had a smile and was
a sweet person. We were so proud of her accomplishes and courage, she was independent and special.
Our sympathies to her two children, and other Family members.
She will always be in our hearts and thoughts.
Brian and family, I am so sorry for your loss.
I am so saddened to learn of Ursula’s sudden passing. I have very fond memories of times spent together when our children were young. Caitlin and Brennan, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
We were extremely saddened to learn of Ursula’s death. We had many great holidays and countless pleasant dinners with Brian and Ursula over the years and had hoped to have many more. We enjoyed her quiet humour and delightful smile and will miss her. Our condolences and love to Brian, Caitlin, Brennan and to Ursula’s extended family.
I was very sad and sorry to hear the news. My thoughts are with you during the difficult time.
We were very saddened by the news and want to extend our sincere condolences for your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Our heartfelt condolences on your sad loss. Our sympathy and support are with Ursula’s family at this time.
Dear Brian,
We are so sorry to learn of your loss of Ursula’s untimely death. Our condolences go out to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Betty & Frans Compeer – Victoria BC.
Dear Brian,
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Brian, We are shocked to hear of Ursulas sudden illness and passing. We send our condolences to all of you families at this difficult time.
Jane and Grant
We were saddened to learn of Ursula’s sudden passing. Our thoughts are with Brian and his family
We are so saddened to hear of the Ursula’s passing. Our thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time. Our sincere condolences to all of you.
Brian, we were all very sad to hear about this terrible event. Very sincere condoleances.
Dear Brian,
I was stunned to learn a few minutes ago of Ursula’s sudden and untimely death. Back in those good old days of Connaught Research Institute, I still remember Ursula’s quiet humour and calm reassurance whenever we were faced with what, in the heat of the moment, seemed like a major crisis. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
While I never met Ursula, I can see in her picture she was full of life. Condolences to Brain and the family. It is never easy to be the one left behind.
I knew Ursula from our days together in Montreal at St.Malachy’s School as childhood friends.I remember playing school with her and having so much fun.Ursula was a wonderful childhood friend.I moved to the Toronto area in my teens so lost touch with her.I offer my deepest sympathy to her children and her family.I was so happy to read about her successful career.I am sorry that we weren’t able to connect as adults because we actually lived very close to each other.Since hearing of her passing,I have constantly been fondly remembering our childhood days together.May Ursula rest in peace.Elizabeth McGuire,Oakville On
It was truly shocking to hear today of Ursula’s passing. I did not know Ursula well but have known Brian for many years and also know that Ursula was one of his pillars. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy to the entire family as it is always those who remain who must cope with such tragic loss.
We taught with Ursula at Wushishi Teachers College in Nigeria in the Fall of 1980 with CUSO. We remember Ursula being vibrant and interested in all the experiences that life could offer her. We supported each other as we explored and stretched our boundaries. We are very sorry to hear of Ursuala’s untimely passing, and we would welcome the opportunity to share our experience with Ursula in Nigeria and find out more about her life after we lost touch.
E-mail garthkathryn@hotmail.com
Garth and Kathryn Horne
Just read heard about Ursula’s passing in the CUSO volunteer magazine. I was a CUSO volunteer in Nigeria, posted to the adjoining state to Ursula’s. It was a terrific experience for all of us. I remember Ursula as a very kind and caring person. Condolences to her family.
I am very sad to read by chance of Ursula’s passing. I was with Ursula in Nigeria, as a CUSO volunteer. She was a wonderful person, and a great friend to travel with, as we did one week to Cameroons, by boat, through mangrove swamps. Great company, with her friend Hillary as well. I knew she would make her mark in the world, and this remembrance page attests to that.
To Ursula’s family, you were fortunate to have her, even if her time was much too short.
I was saddened to learn of Ursula’s death only this morning, when doing an internet search to try and determine her whereabouts in connection with an upcoming CUSO Nigeria Reunion that is happening in Montreal July 17-19, 2015. I was a fellow CUSO volunteer posted to a school in Niger State from 1981-83, and visited with Ursula and other Niger State CUSO volunteers on several occasions in 1981-82 – including visits to Wushishi where she was posted, the last year of her 2 year CUSO Nigeria stint. I recall Ursula as an unfailingly kind, generous, fun-loving person. My condolences go out to her family on such an untimely loss.
I too have just learned that Ursula is no longer with us. Grace and I spent our first year in Wushishi with her as our friend and mentor. I have often wondered about her, and I’m saddened by this news. Such a fine spirit! Rest In Peace, Ursula.
I was very saddened to learn today of Ursula’s death. I was in Nigeria as a CUSO volunteer during the same two years as Ursula, both of us serving in Niger State, and got to know her through visits back and forth. We kept in touch after returning to Canada and I enjoyed occasional visits with her while she was in Montreal, then lost touch. She was a fine person with a fine mind, a true pleasure to know. I extend my condolences to her family.
My name is Maritha, I met Ursula in Niger state and we became really close. She visited my family a lot of times and she invited me on many occasions to visit her in Canada. I recently moved to London and while I was having a discussion with my daughter we talked at length about her and so we decided to look her up on Facebook, as we didn’t find her, I decided to try on google. To say that I am heart broken is an understatement.
Ursula gave me accomodation, tried everything within her power to make me happy. When I was lonely she was there for me, she supported, counselled and encouraged me. I feel cheated because I never got the chance to say good bye.
Rest in peace my dear friend. I miss you and will always miss you.
Maritha Nze.