Helen "Tish" Parker Tukey

Tish was born in Lockport, NY to Dr. Harry L. Parker and Helen Thurbon Parker. She grew up in Lockport spending summers on Lake Ontario and at Chautauqua Institution. She discovered a lifelong love of classical music and opera at Chautauqua. She attended Emma Willard School and graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She met her future husband, Dr. Harold B. Tukey Jr., on a blind date at a Michigan State football game. They married after graduation and spent 65 years together. They lived in Ithaca, NY for twenty years, raising three children before moving to Seattle in 1980 after her husband became the Founding Director of the UW Center for Urban Horticulture and Director of the Arboretum in Seattle.

Tish and her husband traveled all over the world. When asked what her favorite place to visit was, she always responded it was the last place she visited. Her most memorable trips were to Iran and Russia where her husband was the guest lecturer at local universities.

Tish hosted many dinner parties for graduate students, visiting professors, donors, and family. The house was always decorated, warm and inviting. Home-cooked meals were properly served in the dining room using good china and silver. Those attending were treated equally and left with lasting memories.

Tish enjoyed antiques, the opera, classical music, history, reading, meeting people, being with her family and friends, and traveling but she liked being home in Seattle most of all. She was very creative and artistic.

She was a longtime member of the Women’s University Club, Past President of the Antiques Club and the UW Wives Club. Tish was a resident of Parkshore Senior Living and enjoyed many wonderful friendships.

Tish was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Harold B. Tukey, Jr. She is survived by her three children, Ruth Thurbon Tukey, Carol Tukey Schwartz (Tom), Harold B Tukey, III, Grandsons Jonathon Schwartz (Laura), Christopher Schwartz (Abbey Bourdon) and Great Grandchildren Matthew, Reagan, and Kaitlyn. She is also survived by her brother, John L. Parker (Nancy Brush) and her sisters-in -law, Betty Tukey, and Louise Tukey. Tish also leaves behind many cherished relatives and friends.

Donations in memoriam may be made to the Seattle Opera, The Center for Urban Horticulture, and the Washington Park Arboretum. The family would like to thank the Harborview Medical Center, AMR Ambulance, Providence Hospice, and the Parkshore Senior Living care teams for their kind and compassionate care.

A celebration of life is planned for Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Center for Urban Horticulture. See below for more information.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Tukey family.