Ursula Rickenberg

Ursula was born in Aachen, Germany to Herman and Hedwig (Leffman) Heineman. She and her family fled the Nazis when she was ten years old, shortly before the war began, and eventually settled in Providence, Rhode Island. Ursula attended Classical High School and Pembroke College in Brown University. She went on to get a Master's of Social Work at Smith College.

Ursula was a social worker for decades at Bradley Hospital, working with children and families. She also had a private practice, and later worked with children at Harmony Hill School.

A lover of the outdoors, Ursula enjoyed skiing, swimming, walking, and boating. She was an adventurous traveler, often bringing her twin sister Margret along. Ursula was a talented painter, and in later years was an enthusiastic art student at Hamilton House.

She is survived by her daughter, Monica Rickenberg, son-in-law Ian Weinstein, two grandchildren, Sasha and Clara Weinstein, and niece and nephew Susan and Tom Heineman and their families. Ursula was predeceased by her son, Peter Rickenberg; her siblings, Charles and Margret Heineman; her former husband Howard Rickenberg, and her companion Alfred (Vicky) Vickers.

Donations in her memory can be made to Hamilton House, Planned Parenthood, or the Environmental Defense Fund.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 12:00 PM in the Historic Chapel at Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd., Providence. Relatives and friends are invited.

Arrangements are in the care of Sugarman-Sinai Memorial Chapel, Providence.