Obituary of Mary L. Tucker

Mary Lou Tucker, 84, formerly of Glens Falls, NY, and wife of the late Ronald C. Tucker, passed away Thursday evening, June 18, 2015, at Orange Park Medical Center, Orange Park, FL, following a series of illnesses over the past two years. Mary was born April 18, 1931, in Cambridge, NY, to the late Louis and Mary Greuling of Argyle, NY. Mary and Ronald were high school sweethearts and were married for over 61 years. She was a devoted wife and wonderful stay-at-home mom to her five children for many years. She took a part-time job as a secretary at Crawford & Company Insurance Adjusters to help pay for college expenses for her first child. She was always proud to tell everyone that all five of her children were college graduates. Once they were all in school, she remained there full-time for over 20 years. The couple moved to Orange Park in 2002 where they enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren. Mary loved to play cards and many other games. Many said that she was the “Queen of Games” – especially to keep her children quiet in church and on long trips in the car. Mary was also an avid reader with a large collection of biographies. Mary and Ron performed community service for many years through their church outreach. They would make weekly rounds to local grocery stores to gather day-old baked goods to be given away at shelters. Mary had a delightful sense of humor and loved to have family dinners and just being with her family. Her best days were when she talked to all five of her children in one day. She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Mary Greuling; husband, Ronald; sister, Patricia Palmer; granddaughter, Erica Lewis; and sons-in-law, Michael McCarthy and John Baxter. Mary is survived by her children, Sue (Gary) Lewis, Nancy McCarthy, Ronald Tucker, Joanne Baxter, and David Tucker; twelve grandchildren; two great grandchildren; brother, Garry (Pam) Greuling; and sisters, Lila (Robert) Miles and Lois (John) Fleming and special sister of the heart Loretta Tucker; many nieces and nephews; and other loved ones and friends. The family would like to thank the professionals and caregivers of Consulate Health Care of Orange Park, Orange Park Medical Center and Kindred Hospital North Florida for the care given to their mom. Mary will be dearly missed by all who knew her, but most especially her children and grandchildren. A visitation will be held on Friday, June 26, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and the funeral service on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., both at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073, (904) 264-1233. Burial will follow the funeral at Magnolia Cemetery in Orange Park. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s honor can be made to the Erica Lewis Soccer Scholarship Fund at: https://www.jaxcf.org/give/erica-lewis-soccer-scholarship-fund.