Ursula Collier Strider, 42, died Aug. 5, 2005, at her home near Waynesboro, Va. after a courageous fight with cancer. Born in Stuttgart,Germany Feb. 9, 1963, she was the daughter of David Wilson Collier and the late Isolde Gensinger Collier.
In addition to her father, she is survived by her husband of 17 years, William "Bill" Howard Strider; her two daughters, Anna Collier Strider, 10, Davia Shenan Strider, 7; her grandmother, Irene Gensinger; an uncle, Hans Gensinger and family all of Miesenbach, Germany; mother- in- law, Betty F. Strider, of Charlottesville; brothers- in- law, David V. Strider, Jr. and family of Charlottesville, Jeff Strider of Wayne, Penn.; her stepmother, Vreni Bithell Collier of Earlysville, Va.; stepbrother, Tom Bithell and family of Blacksburg, Va.; J.S. and Tanley Brown of Blacksburg, Va.; uncles, Louin Collier, of Palmyra, Va., J. Edgar Collier and family of Dover, Del., and Robert A. Lester and family of Salisbury, N.C.; an aunt, Peggy Cassity and family of Jacksonville, Fla.; and many cousins, nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her infant triplets, Lillian Collier Strider, Jefferson Collier Strider, and Kilian Collier Strider; father in- law, Dr. David V. Strider; grandmother, Bertha Collier Lester; and stepsister, Amy Bithell Brown.
Ursula was a 1981 graduate of Albemarle High School finishing in the top 7% of her class. She received her Bachelor's Degree in urban and environmental planning in 1985 followed by a Master's Degree in the same field in 1987 from the University of Virginia. She was a recipient of the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Associations Outstanding Student Award in 1985 for Academic Achievement. She was a planner for the City of Charlottesville from 19871991.
Because of her love for animals, Ursula changed career paths and earned a Veterinary Technology Degree from Blue Ridge Community College. She received her State license certification in 1993, and joined the staff at Augusta Animal Hospital. She resigned her position there in 1995, when her daughter Anna was born.
During the 1990s Ursula was a board member of Caring Canine Companions where she trained many assistance dogs for people with disabilities. In 1998, she joined and became president of Another Chance for English Setters (ACES) and helped save and place more than 1300 dogs across the United States. It was during this period that she formed many wonderful friendships around the country.
The family appreciates the excellent care of all of the staff at the University of Virginia Medical Center, Hospice of the Piedmont, and the support from the teachers and students of Covenant Presbyterian Preschool, and Verona Elementary School. In addition, the family expresses its gratitude to David V. Strider, Jr. "Davy" for his loving and professional care of Ursula, to Kitra and Scott Bolt for their friendship and close fami1y support, and to the many other friends in the Shenandoah Valley who unselfishly provided family support at our time of need.
Ursula will always be remembered for the love she gave to her husband, her children, and all animals.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005, at Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jim Baker officiating.
Burial will be private.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to: Another Chance for English Setters (ACES), c/o Ms. Jan Torrez, 8127 North Angus, Fresno, CA 93720-2008, or Hospice of the Piedmont, 2200 Old Ivy Rd. Suite #2, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Hill & Wood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Edward O'Connor Tate Jr (1981)
I knew Ursula, and kind of grew up with her. She moved to the neighborhood where I lived I think my sophmore year of high school. We spent the next three years loving/hating each other the way high school kids do. We rode the bus to school together, and picked at each other constantly.
Ursula was a nice, kind hearted person.....and really smart......scary smart. She made me a better person.
She is in a better place, and when I get there, I will look her up.