Obituary of Ruth M. Tucker

Ruth McGinn Tucker, 90, of Manchester died peacefully on March 25, 2023, in the home that she loved. Ruth was the wife of the late Paul K. Tucker and a beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Ruth was born in Lynn, MA in 1932. She was the daughter of the late Lelia (Gray) and William E. McGinn. Ruth cultivated a lifelong love of learning as a graduate of Emmanuel College in Boston, MA. She completed further graduate studies at Boston University, University of Connecticut, and the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford. She took to the front of the classroom as an English teacher, teaching in Lynn, MA and East Hartford, CT before a lengthy tenure at Arthur H. Illing Middle School, Manchester, CT. Ruth married her husband Paul in 1955, and the family settled in Manchester, CT to raise their five children. They were charter members of St. Bartholomew Church in Manchester, where Ruth served as President of the Guild of our Lady of St. Bartholomew. Ruth and Paul celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary before his passing in April of 2014.

Throughout her adult life, Ruth remained dedicated to education and her community. She was a member of the Retired Teachers’ Association of Manchester, the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut and was a former member and secretary of the Manchester Library Board as well as an Honorary Life Member of the Manchester Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

Ruth has been the center and heart of the Tucker family for decades. Ruth loved and was loved by her ever-growing family. Today, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren are scattered across the country, but still love to gather for the Manchester Road Race and Thanksgiving with Nannie at the head of the table.

Ruth is survived by her four daughters, Marybeth and her husband, Dr. David C. Moyer, of Manchester, Susan and her husband, Dr. Peter F. D’Addario, of Farmington, Kathryn (Kate) Maguire of Westford, MA, Julie and her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Alan Shawcross (USAF-Ret.) of Phoenix, AZ, and her son, Paul of Bolton; her thirteen grandchildren and their spouses, MaryKate (Moyer) and her husband David Haverly, Kara (Moyer) and her husband Clint Black, Megan (Moyer) and her husband John Kelly, Jane (D’Addario) and her husband Dr. Jon Lecznar, Daniel D’Addario and his husband Jacob Schneider, Emily D’Addario and her wife Miranda, Dr. Andrew Maguire and his wife Jamie, Maggie Maguire, Dr. Callan (Shawcross) and her husband Dr. Joseph Driver, Timothy Shawcross and his wife Matti, LT Evan Shawcross, USN and his wife Kylie, Sarah Tucker, and PJ Tucker; as well as her seventeen great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Ruth was predeceased by her sisters Genevieve (McGinn) Taylor of Marblehead, MA and Barbara (McGinn) Hodecker of Meredith, NH, and her son-in-law Joseph G. Maguire.

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to Esther Jeffries and her wonderful staff at All Ways There Home-Care LLC for their continuous love, support and companionship over the last several years. In addition, we appreciate the support provided by the Vernon VNA - Hospice Care.

Visiting hours will be held for family and friends on Friday, March 31 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center Street, Manchester. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 1 at 10:00 a.m. at the Parish of Saint Teresa of Calcutta - Saint Bartholomew Church, 736 East Middle Tpke., Manchester. Burial will follow at East Cemetery. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory be made to Manchester Area Conference of Churches at MACC Charities, 466 Main Street, Manchester, CT 06040. 

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