Background
Theda was the granddaughter and heiress of the chief Focko Ukena (died 1436) and was born in 1432 in Oldersum as the daughter of Uko Fockena and Heba Attena of Dornum.
Theda was the granddaughter and heiress of the chief Focko Ukena (died 1436) and was born in 1432 in Oldersum as the daughter of Uko Fockena and Heba Attena of Dornum.
Her father was assassinated in June 1432. In 1455 she was second wife of Ulrich I Cirksena, who had been Count of East Frisia since 1454. Between 1457 to 1465, they had six children: Heba, Gela, Enno I, Edzard I the Great, Ucko and Almuth.
Theda brought, among other claims, Oldersum into the marriage, which considerably weakened the ruling chief Wiard of Oldersum.
After Ulrich"s death in 1466 she took over the official business of the house Cirksena. She was assisted by the chief Sibet Attena.
Theda died on 16 November 1494 in Greetsiel.