Rita E. Tucker
Born June 13, 1926
Rita E. Tucker, age 87, of Wilmington, DE passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 29, 2014.
Born in Claymont, Delaware on June 13, 1926, Rita was a daughter of the late Mary and Paul McCafferty. She and her beloved husband, Joe Sarge Tucker were the first couple married at Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church on May 28, 1949. Rita spent her entire married life as an active member of the parish. Her deep devotion to the Blessed Mother led her to become a member of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality at her church.
Rita worked as a secretary in the 1950’s for DuPont at the company’s Wilmington Shops. She was a member of the Lions Club and a faithful volunteer at the Lion Bank of Delaware Valley. Rita served as past president of the National Ambassadors for Corneal Transplants and enjoyed traveling throughout the country and sharing her story with others about having been a three time corneal transplant recipient. She could often be found spreading the word regarding the importance of organ donation and encouraged others to consider signing donor cards. Rita received the Jefferson Award for her many years of volunteer service.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the love of her life, William Joseph Tucker and her sisters, Cecelia Burns and Frances Ryan. Rita is survived by her 4 nieces, Paula Boulden, Jeannie Trotto, Bernie Tucker and Betsy Tucker; 6 nephews, John Ryan, Paul Ryan, Michael Ryan, Joseph Ryan, Jack Tucker and Kevin Tucker; 3 great nieces; 10 great nephews; 7 great-great nieces; 5 great-great nephews; and was looking forward to welcoming another baby, due to arrive in June. She is also survived by her devoted goddaughter, Pat Maley.
The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to her caregivers from Heartland Hospice and Foulk Manor South. Special thanks to Dr. Shusterman, Rebecca Styer and Charleen Roberts of Heartland Hospice for their loving care, compassion and support and for the wonderful volunteers they provided in recent days. The family also expresses their gratitude to Dr. Erdman, Linda Jochen, Teresa Brinson and the other nurses, aides and staff at Foulk Manor South.
Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am on Wednesday morning, May 7, 2014, at Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church, 801 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a visitation will be held from 10 am until 11 am. Interment will follow in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice, 256 Chapman Rd., Ste. 102, Newark, DE 19702 or to the Lions Bank of Delaware Valley, 401 N. 3rd Street, #305, Philadelphia, PA 19123.
To sign guest book, visit
spicermullikin.com
SPICER-MULLIKIN
FUNERAL HOMES
& CREMATORY
302-328-2213
Edward "Mike" Rush, Jr.
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Rita Tucker. She and the “Sarge” were the First Couple of Our Lady of Fatima. They were great friends for a lot of years, and great neighbors to Don Neil, who also just passed recently. She was a great woman and inspiration to all of us. She will be missed.