In memoriam: Ursula Thrush (1930-2002), peace be with you, Ursula

Montessori Life, Winter 2003 by Trudeau, Christina Marie

On September 28, 2002, Ursula Thrush died after 72 years of ardent living. With her birth in Budapest in 1930, the world then possessed an attractive, smart, and spunky child who was filled with both courage and zest for life. Ursula never lost these wonderful characteristics. This love of life she shared with all who knew her.

Even though most of us never knew Ursula during her early years in Europe, we can be certain that she accepted life as she met it even during the war years. Perhaps it was at this time of her life that she was called to be a peacemaker. One of the ways she chose to accomplish this peacemaking task was to become a Montessori teacher.

Ursula did her Montessori training in both London and Bergamo. After completing her training, she moved to the United States in 1968. In 1971 she set up her school and training center, Maria Montessori School of the Golden Gate, in San Francisco.

Ursula's work in the Bay Area was truly prolific. She could be found giving numerous workshops, conferences, conducting study groups, as well as training Montessori teachers and managing her school. Montessori education was Ursula's life.

However, it was overseas within my Notre Dame Japanese mission that I came to experience Ursula's profound and passionate zeal for peace. This happeeing took place after I had met her during my Christmas home visit. I told her that if in her travels to the Orient she could come as far as Osaka, I would meet her and introduce her to parents, teachers, and children, all of whom were as dedicated to peace as she was. Most of all on this short stay we could visit the Peace Park in Hiroshima. This invitation did become a reality.

In Japan, Ursula was thrilled to be among so many Japanese people who were deeply interested in peace education. The people really connected with her, and she with them. The experiences within each school and town that we visited as we made our way down to Hiroshima seemed to be real celebrations in culture and peace.

Once within the city of Hiroshima, we went straight to the Peace Park. The entire day was one of deep reflection, quiet, and peace. Ursula seemed to be savoring each moment. One could feel the harmony between her clear mind and warm heart. She was in awe of the sacredness of the place on which she stood.

The way I like to remember Ursula is to envision the moments she spent in front of the large Peace Bell. She took a strong hold of the rope and stepped back as faras she possibly could before letting go of the large wooden ringer. The sound of the bell resonated throughout the park. Ursula stood in front of the bell with her eyes closed and a slight smile on her face that indicated the indwelling of peace and earnest prayer.

Yes, Ursula, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons and daughters of God." Thank you, Ursula, for being who you were-direct, dynamic, and determined! Peace shall overcome!

-Sr. Christina Marie Trudeau

We need to start by consciously nurturing and cultivating peace and love within ourselves and among ourselves. We cannot like everybody, but we have to love everybody. We cannot afford to hate. Dr. Montessori said in her book Peace and Education, "We must gather together all the elements of the world and organize them into a science of peace." May you be instrumental in this quest. -Ursula Thrush

The person we knew as Charles Turner was born Jewel James Atkins on Sunday, March 12, 1933, at the Deaconess Home of Redeeming Love in Oklahoma City, a hospital and orphanage mission of the First Methodist Church. At the age of 14 months, his good luck began: he was adopted by George and Jenny Turner. a middleaged couple who had lost their first adopted child to pneumonia. By all reports they were kind and loving parents who "followed the child" and did everything possible to promote Charles's learning and his scientific curiosity, despite their own lack of education. George, who rose to a managerial position with the Phillips Petroleum Company, had left school after 61 grade. Jenny quit 2" grade when other children made fun of her speech and never learned to read. Charles was 40 when he learned he was an adopted child.

After graduation from Northeast High School in Oklahoma City in 1951 and 2 years at the University of Oklahoma, Charles enlisted in the US Air Force. Though he wanted to be a pilot, his eyesight wasjust not good enough. After training in Basic Electronics and Airborne Radar at Keesler AFB, he shipped out to Manston, England, with the 514th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. Honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant after 4 years, he returned to OU in fall 1957, where he met a girl named Joy Mac Starry. It seemed to be love at first sight on both sides.

Charles pursued his love of science, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Zoology in 1960. Married in September, he and Joy made their home in California. When their son Grant was born, Charles became a field representative/instructor for North American Rockwell. Their second son, Geoffrey, arrived in 1963. After almost 5 years at Strategic Air Command bases in three states, the family returned to southern CA. Charles continued at Rockwell as a systems analyst.