Our Neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Tucker

Growing up in Redford Township during the mid-50's and 60's, our next door neighbors were the Tuckers.  While our parents referred to them as Pat and Chuck, they were always Mr. and Mrs. Tucker to us, a formalism that seems less common these days. The Tuckers and our parents became fast friends.  During the summers I remember Mr. Tucker and my Dad sitting at a card table erected on the concrete apron in front of the garage, playing animated games of Gin Rummy, occasionally for 10 cents a point in addition to bragging rights.  My Mom and Mrs. Tucker were equally engaged, always chatting about something, going back and forth for coffee or tea, other neighbors joining them at times, adding to the banter.   Summer cook-outs bounced from garage to garage, the sizzling grills seemingly leapt the fences.  While it was a fun and busy neighborhood, especially in summer,  Mr. and Mrs. Tucker  also had time for the four kids next door, from giving us odd jobs and attending our birthday parties to looking after us and when needed redirecting our errant energies.

I was always interested in science and technology growing up, having both a microscope and a chemistry set like many of my friends.  When I learned Mrs. Tucker had a 1,000 power microscope at work and looked at blood cells, I couldn't believe my good fortune.  It's so powerful you must be able to see everything there is with that microscope.  I asked her about it numerous times, compared notes in my head to my microscope and the onion skins and paramecium I looked at.  Then one day my Mother handed me a couple of purple stained microscope slides, wrapped in tissue, from Mrs. Tucker.  I immediately put them under my 600 power microscope and spent hours viewing these tiny circles that all looked the same except for an occasional big one.  How exciting.  A year or so later Mrs. Tucker gave me two boxes, one wooden the other plastic, containing the slides she had prepared and carefully labeled during her coursework at the University of Michigan.  It took weeks to look at them while trying to figure out the labels and exactly what they meant.  What a treasure.  On another occasion I had just finished reading a book about the solar system and brought this up to Mr. Tucker.  While discussing the sun and its elements we ended up making a bet on the lightest element.  Having confused helium for hydrogen, I ended up shoveling the snow off their sidewalk at a greatly reduced rate for a couple weeks.  That didn't matter too much as there was more to talk about, particularly regarding that oscilloscope I just learned he had in the basement.

My brother and sisters can recount similar events where the Tuckers touched their lives.  As a kid when you have neighbors like this the possibilities are exciting and endless.  I shall always be grateful for the time they spent with me, their support and encouragement.   Everyone should be so fortunate as to have someone like the Tuckers for their neighbors.

Gary Heseltine

Great neighbor. Life long friend. She will be missed. The Heseltines.

If your Mother was anything like you, Mary Beth, she was one wonderful lady.  My heart goes with you in the days ahead.  May God comfort you as you celebrate a life well lived.

My heart goes out to Mary Beth and Karen, good loving daughters both, and the grandkids, extended family and friends. Bless you all in this difficult time. Sincere condolences on your loss.

Even though  I didn't know your mom, Mary Beth, she sounded like a very special lady.  My thoughts and prayers  go out to all of you.

Beverly Christensen

So sorry for your loss!
I enjoyed the mother & daughters, lunch and plays we were able to do together. Too bad we couldn't of enjoyed more!

OBITUARIO

Patricia L. Tucker

25 marzo, 1930 – 21 octubre, 2016

Pixley Funeral Home

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