Urszula Jolanta Biela

Urszula Biela, age 67, passed away on Wednesday, June 24th, 2020 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Urszula was born on May 4th, 1953 in Zielona Gora, Poland. Urszula’s passion for music began at the early age of seven culminating in her acceptance to one of the top music schools in Poland at the age of 16. Becoming a master of the piano, violin and flute, her talents in music served as a stepping stone in her journey to earning her Master’s Degree in Pedagogy and becoming an outstanding music teacher. In 1981, Urszula and her daughter Joanna, began a new journey that brought them to the United States. The education and career that Urszula previously achieved initially went unrecognized in the United States.  Undeterred, Urszula started rebuilding her life in any way feasible. Throughout her regrowth, she worked extremely hard to raise a family as a single mother overcoming any obstacles that lie before her.  Whether it was learning a fourth language to survive in a new country or building a new academic career, Urszula persevered until she succeeded. While raising Joanna and Sebastian, Urszula worked two jobs in pursuit of an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electronics and Computer Maintenance.  An everlasting fighter, Urszula went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico with a concentration in Computer Engineering and Mathematics.  After welcoming her youngest daughter Samantha to the family, Urszula continued pursuit of her talents in mathematics to fulfill her love of teaching once again--a career she would uphold for 20 years at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM).  Math would be the catalyst that highlighted her infinite teaching ability as she taught nearly every math class that CNM had to offer. Her hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed for she was recognized as a Distinguished Faculty Member in 2017. Each stepping stone that Urszula chose to take enabled her to support and raise three wonderful children, enabled her to touch the lives of countless students in such a profound way that even she could make math enjoyable, and enabled her joy of music to resonate with others. Throughout her life she held on to her sense of humor, commitment, love, and strength which sparked the flame that lit up the lives of those around her as a teacher, friend, and mother.

Urszula is preceded in death by her mother, Maria Szymanska; her father Aleksander Szymanski.  Urszula is survived by her children including her daughter Joanna and her husband Wiley; her son Sebastian; and her youngest daughter Samantha. Urszula is also survived by her sister, Aleksandra Szymanska-Sojka, husband Leszek Sojka and sons Wojciech, Maciej and wife Greta; and sister Ewa Piotrowska and daughters Natalia and Agnieszka.

In lieu of flowers donations may be given in Urszula's honor to Blue Star Mothers, www.bluestarmothers.org. To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com.  
Daniels Family Funeral Services
7601 Wyoming Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-821-0010