Dede Ulbrich
- Feb 25
- 2 min read
Episode 338
Keep your eyes open and don’t be afraid of life. If you want to age gracefully, stay busy, positive, and connected. -Dede Ulbrich
This week, we meet Dede Ulbrich, a beautiful 86-year-old woman whose secret to staying young is laughter, love, and connection. The granddaughter of former New Hampshire Governor Francis P. Murphy and founder of WMUR radio and television stations, Dede was raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, where her big, Irish family believed in the glory of hard work and having fun. In this interview, Dede recalls that men returning from World War II and Vietnam were changed forever, and she was determined to live her life to the fullest. As a friend and former colleague of political consultant and White House special assistant Kenny O’Donnell, Dede attended the Inaugural Ball for President John F. Kennedy and later experienced the horror of losing her favorite president to an assassin’s bullet in Dallas. Years later, as the single mother of three sons, Dede rebuilt her life after divorce, taking a job selling running shoes at the Nike store in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Identified as a talented salesperson, she was recruited by company executives to join their elite marketing team. Dede climbed the corporate ladder in a man’s world with zero hesitation, creating relationships with Olympic runners like Joan Benoit Samuelson. A runner herself, she later met and married her second husband, Dick Ulbrich, DMD, experiencing the joy of finding love the second time around. Known affectionately as “Doc”, her husband built a lasting friendship with a gardener from Weston, Massachusetts named Nelson McNutt, who lived to be 105, leaving his entire estate in gratitude to the couple. www.nelsonsgarden.com. Filled with the kind of wisdom that can only come from a life well lived, Dede says, “Life is good. Always look for the beauty in life. Keep searching for the things that make you happy.” For 25 minutes of inspiration, just hit that download button. #gratitude #age #kennedyassasination #nelsonsgarden
Subscribe to The Story Behind Her Success & Listen on these platforms!
Apple | Google | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | Spotify
Let's stay connected!
Follow me on Facebook @candyoterryofficial
Follow me on Twitter @candyoterry
Follow me on Instagram @candyoterry
Follow me on Linkedin @candyoterry
It is so inspiring to read the story of DeDe Ulbrich and her unique journey. Personal narratives like these are what help us connect with one another on a deeper level and understand the power of resilience. This emphasis on individual growth is also a core part of Sharon Marie Chester’s insights on Personal Reflection Racial Justice. She argues that looking inward and examining our own perspectives is the first step toward contributing to a fairer society. Thank you for sharing such a powerful interview that encourages us all to reflect more deeply on our own paths.
What an inspiring read! Dede Ulbrich’s story really highlights how passion, perseverance, and a people-first mindset can transform not just a career but also the workplace culture around you. As someone who’s been diving into leadership and team dynamics lately, her journey reminds me of many themes I came across while working on my HR Assignment Help research — especially about how emotional intelligence and empathy play such vital roles in human resources success. It’s amazing to see how she continues to motivate others by leading with authenticity and confidence. This blog is a great reminder that professional growth isn’t just about climbing the ladder but also about mentoring, listening, and creating space for others to shine. Truly motivating!
Really enjoyed reading this story about Dede Ulbrich, it’s amazing how much life experience and positivity she carries even at 86 and the message about staying active, connected and finding joy in everyday life really stood out to me, stories like this remind you that resilience and curiosity can keep you going no matter what stage of life you’re in, and it was interesting to read about her journey from family roots in Massachusetts to building a career and relationships along the way while keeping such a positive outlook on life , sometimes when i read inspiring stories like this it also makes me think about how hard it can be to organize ideas when writing essays or assignments because…