Eleanor Hunt Tucker

April 16, 1935 - October 6, 2020

San Diego lost a native daughter with the passing of Eleanor Hunt Tucker at La Costa Glen in Carlsbad at the age of 85.

Eleanor was born to Rear Admiral Charles Boardman Hunt and Katharine O'Hern Hunt at Mercy Hospital on April 16, 1935. She was the middle of 5 children, growing up on a variety of Navy bases in the US. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy with a passion

for music and singing. She then attended UC Berkeley where she pledged Pi Beta Phi, a sistership she loved until her death.

She left school when she met and fell madly in love with Leland Whitney Tucker, a US Marine Corps Captain from Akron OH based at Camp Pendleton. They married and proceeded to raise a large, loving family stationed at Camp Lejeune NC, Quantico VA and later

Akron OH. When alcoholism consumed her husband, Eleanor made the brave decision at 33 to divorce and move across country back to San Diego alone with 6 children under the age of 11. The strength and resolve it took for this move was remarkable and an inspiration

to many, particularly in the late '60s when women couldn't even get a credit card. She was unable to find an office job for reasons like 'you're too smart, so we're afraid you'll get bored' to 'you won't be reliable with that many children at home' so she

decided to go back to finish her degree and worked two night time waitress jobs to pay the bills.

She earned her Bachelor's degree at San Diego State and went on to complete a Master's Degree in Speech Communication. This enabled her to begin a long and rewarding teaching career at Grossmont Community College where she taught speech communication

to thousands of students before retiring. Eleanor led an active retirement life volunteering at several hospice providers, the San Diego Historical Society and the Old Globe Theater.

Eleanor will be remembered for the perpetual twinkle in her eye and ready laugh. Throughout these trying times, Eleanor kept her sense of humor and always made fun and laughter an essential part of family life. She'd pack up the station wagon and cart

the kids off to Mission Bay, Tijuana, Presidio Park or Wrightwood for a picnic and fun times together. She raised six smart, strong, independent children who shared her humor and love of family. (The Tucker Boys are still famous in Serra Mesa..) Too bad

she didn't write a book!

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband Lee, her son Paul, her grandson Joshua and her siblings except her sister Ransom Carver who remained a close confidante until the end. She is survived by her children: Katharine Opincarne, Stephen Tucker, David

Tucker, Michael Tucker and wife Roberta Schrott, and Elizabeth Volz and husband David Volz. She also leaves behind 13 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and a large circle of friends. Due to COVID, the family will hold a private memorial.