Pulcheria D. Ricks-Poole, 61, former project manager at American Board of Internal Medicine
Pulcheria D. Ricks-Poole was known as a vibrant woman with a generous spirit who loved traveling, attending jazz festivals, and socializing with friends and family.
Pulcheria D. Ricks-Poole was known as a vibrant woman with a generous spirit who loved traveling, attending jazz festivals, and socializing with friends and family.
"She would give anonymously," said her sister, Rachelle Ricks-Anderson. "If she saw a need, she would step in and help out. She never looked for credit."
Mrs. Ricks-Poole, 61, died Wednesday, Dec. 14, at her home in Newark, Del. The cause was due to complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
For 30 years, Mrs. Ricks-Poole worked for the American Board of Internal Medicine, rising to the position of project manager for clinical competency.
She later worked in the administrative offices of the Temple University Health System, her sister said.
Mrs. Ricks-Poole was the older of two daughters of the late Rocellus Ricks and Barbara F. Ellison.
She grew up in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia and graduated from Overbrook High School, where she was active on the track and baseball teams.
After high school, she attended business school and then began working for the American Board of Internal Medicine. Her employer helped Mrs. Ricks-Poole earn a bachelor's degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and she began working on a master's degree.
She later received a master's degree in administrative health from Eastern University.
For years, she was a single mother before she married her husband Azeem Poole 19 years ago.
Ricks-Anderson said her older sister maintained strong friendships with friends from high school and they often traveled around the country to jazz festivals.
She also loved traveling to Europe. And she was known for having an annual 4th of July party and an Open House for Christmas.
She was also active with the Bella Donnas, a women's social and philanthropic organization. And from 2008 to 2012, she served as its president.
After she became ill about three years ago, one of her good friends, retired nurse Doreen Hunter, made sure that Mrs. Ricks-Poole could continue traveling with the group for some time, her sister said.
In addition to her sister, Mrs. Ricks-Poole is survived by her husband, Azeem Poole; her mother, Barbara F. Ellison; a son, Ira Mark Hunter IV; a brother, Rocellus Carter; a step-daughter, Daaimah Poole; two grandsons; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services were Tuesday, Dec. 20.
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