Newport News – Ursula Walburga Castania, 71, wife of Edward Castania, III, passed away Saturday, December 24, 2016 after a long illness. Born in Weinberg, Germany on April 27, 1945, she was the daughter of Frank Crnko and the late Ulga W. Steurer Crnko. She was a medical receptionist at Williamsburg OBGYN Clinic for 34 years. Ursula loved all types of dancing, and entered and won many competitions with her husband of 47 years Edward. She also loved to shop and the color purple, declaring herself “The Purple Diva.”
Besides her father and husband, Ursula is also survived by her brother Helmut Crnko (Hunchu) of Madison, AL; 2 sisters, Carola Crnko (Mox Eggert) of Painesville, OH, and Diana DiCarlo (Luigi) of Concord, OH; and her beloved dogs Jasmine and Boomer. She was a loving aunt to her nephews and niece, and to her great-nephews and nieces.
The family will receive friends Friday, December 30 from 2-3 pm at Altmeyer Funeral Home-Denbigh Chapel, 12893 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Heritage Humane Society at www.heritagehumanesociety or the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at altmeyerfuneralandcremation.com.
Ursula Walburga Castania
April 27, 1945 - December 24, 2016
04/27/1945 - 12/24/2016
Past Services
Visitation
Friday December 30, 2016
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Altmeyer Funeral Home – Denbigh Chapel
12893 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News, VA 23608
(757) 874-4200 | Directions
12893 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News, VA 23608
(757) 874-4200 | Directions
Service
Friday December 30, 2016
3:00 pm
Altmeyer Funeral Home – Denbigh Chapel
12893 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News, VA 23608
(757) 874-4200 | Directions
12893 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News, VA 23608
(757) 874-4200 | Directions
Anne’s Surprise 50th Birthday
The news of Ursula’s sudden passing has shocked and saddened us. I fondly remember little Ursula sitting on the steps of her home in Ansbach, Germany, singing the Capri Fisher song that her mother sang to her in the evenings before leaving for work. Ursula was such a bright, cheerful child and we had so much fun when I was looking after her. Through the years, we have kept in touch with her and her family through her mom, Olga, who sadly passed away almost exactly a year ago, and through her cheerful Facebook posts. We are glad we had a chance to see her on FaceTime last Christmas.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ed and to the Crnko family.
Erika Thase and family (Heessen, Germany)
Thoughts of sincere sympathy are with you today. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time. Isaiah 41:10
Ed, with deepest and heartfelt sympathy. You are in my prayers.
With heartfelt sympathy, Ed. You are in my prayers.
Always a smile and “twinkle” in her eye, she will be missed !
Knowing Ursula made everyone else’s life a little sweeter! Her never ending smile and beautiful soul will always be remembered! You will be missed!
Nikki
Godspeed Ursie!
Our Father in Heaven gained beautiful soul with Urs’ earthly passing. Urs was a very dear and beautiful friend to our family. Her fiesty, fun, playful nature and quick wit will be dearly missed. Urs was a fighter like few I’ve ever known. She came back from what seemed an impossible feat and continued to have a grateful and joyful heart full of love. She quickly became my first friend when we moved to Virginia when we moved in next door. It was so fun when Urs would see me outside, and holler over if our puppy Patchy could come and play with her Springer Jazzy – Out the door Patchy would run and make a bee-line straight into Ursula’s happy home. When times were rough, Urs was always there; she loved us like family and was ever so understanding and thoughtful. I remember fondly when she would invite our daughter Jewel over to visit and even took her out shopping which they both loved, so Jewel would feel extra loved and fabulous. Our family will all miss Ursula so very much. I am going to miss her especially as one of the most dear and special friends I have ever had the pleasure to know and love. Our most sincere condolences to her family and friends, but especially to the love of her life, her amazing husband Ed who so lovingly and dutifully took such wonderful care of her always. We love you Ed!