Mary Parsons Steinbach Ulbrich
The Wood
s Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of WHOI Volunteer Mary Parsons Steinbach Ulbrich on December 13, 2025, in Woods Hole after a number of years living through the frustrations and losses of dementia. She was 83.
Mary (‘Marybird’ to her parents) was born on May 30, 1942, in New York City to Eleanor (Susie) Parsons Steinbach and Dr. Henry Burr Steinbach, the second child and only girl among three brothers. The career of her father moved the family from New York to St. Louis, then on to Minneapolis, Washington DC, London, Copenhagen, Chicago, and beyond. Summers, however, were nearly always spent in Woods Hole, which was perhaps Mary’s true home.
Mary graduated from the Chicago Lab School and Swarthmore College. She then earned her teaching degree from Northwestern University and started a teaching position at a public high school nearby. On a swim in Lake Michigan, she met Volker Ulbrich, the man she would marry in 1965 and share over 60 years with.
As she was through much of her life, Mary remained cheerful each day to the end – a true and wonderful gift to all around her. Mary was a warm and generous person, a lifelong teacher. Throughout her life, she brought people together and maintained connections with family and friends. Mary will be remembered for her warm smiles, generosity, thoughtfulness, and her concern and care for others.
Mary and Volker, eventually with their two daughters Ciona and Amber, continued a tradition of moving often. Their careers took them to Pennington, NJ, Pittsfield and Williamstown, MA, Kuesnacht, Switzerland, Fair Haven, NJ and Worcester, MA. Mary had a long and impactful career teaching English, humanities, civics, and history, and doing college counseling for both public and private schools. In retirement, Mary and Volker moved to Woods Hole, then Blue Hill, Maine, and back to Woods Hole in 2018, as was always their plan. Mary was a volunteer tour guide at WHOI for many years. “Always cheerful and thoughtful, she was deeply committed to giving tours, particularly to young adults. Her teaching nature created a connection that left a lasting impression on all who met her,” said Joanne Tromp, WHOI Volunteer Coordinator.
She leaves behind her husband of over sixty years Volker Ulbrich; her daughters, Ciona and Amber; her adored grandsons, Seffian and Mace; her brothers, Alan, Joe Henry, and James; her daughters’ partners, Jim and Paul; a long list of nieces and nephews; and a longer list of friends.
A gathering in Mary’s honor is planned for summer 2026 in Woods Hole. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a contribution in Mary’s name to support an institution she cared about deeply — the Children’s School of Science at P.O. Box 522, Woods Hole, MA, 02543.
Information for this obituary is from the Falmouth Enterprise