Helen Johnson Tucker, secretary and community leader, 84
Helen Johnson Tucker "was loving, caring and she shared her spiritual values," said Kimberly Tucker. "She was very involved in our school activities and our other activities, whether it was sports, dance or singing. She was always there."
Helen Louise Johnson Tucker, of West Philadelphia, who worked as a secretary at the old Gimbels Department Store before leaving to take secretarial positions for both the Pennsylvania state and federal government, died Saturday, Aug 19, at Hahnemann University Hospital. She was 84. She died after about a two-year battle with cancer, said one of Mrs. Tucker's daughters, Kimberly Tucker.
Mrs. Tucker was born July 28, 1933 in Philadelphia, the third of five children born to Mary Ellen and Bennet Johnson, who raised their family in West Philadelphia.
After graduating from Overbrook High School, Mrs. Tucker attended Temple University and later obtained her associates degree in Business Administration from Community College of Philadelphia in 1983.
In 1953, she married George Herbert Tucker, a childhood friend, said their daughter, one of the Tuckers' four children.
"She was loving, caring, and she shared her spiritual values," said Kimberly Tucker. "She was very involved in our school activities and our other activities, whether it was sports, dance or singing. She was always there."
Kimberly Tucker said their mother was also active as a community leader who volunteered for several organizations.
She volunteered for the Carroll Park Association's food distribution program and served as president of the Mother's Club of the Philadelphia School of Dance Arts. She also volunteered for various activities at Guion Bluford Elementary School and was an active member of the NARFE, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.
Mrs. Tucker was also active at St. Philip's Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she had been a member since 1948. She served as president of the Dramatics Club, chair of the Bereavement Committee, a Youth Counselor, a volunteer for the Vacation Bible School, and assisted with the Food Distribution Program. Her hobbies included traveling, listening to music, dancing and reading. She also enjoyed watching the Philadelphia Eagles and 76ers games.
In addition to her husband and daughter Kimberly, Mrs. Tucker is survived by two other daughters, Angela Tucker-Cooper and Lisa Hodge; a son, Michael Tucker, a sister, a brother, four grandchildren, one great-grandson and several other family and friends.
A viewing is scheduled for 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Aug 28 at St. Philip's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 525 N. 53rd St. with the funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Fernwood Cemetery.