By Jim Meridith
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5 Comments
  • Visitation

    Saturday, December 28, 2024

    4:00 to 6:00 pm

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

  • Service

    Burial will take place at Poplar Bluff City Cemetery at a later date.

  • Full Obituary

    Lydia Tucker, 97, of Highland, IL, passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at Cedarhurst in Highland, IL.

    She was born on June 21, 1927, in Santa Fe, NM, to Marcos and Frances (nee Grine) Abreu. She married the late Paul E. Tucker on April 23,1955, in Bernalillo, NM.

    Upon graduation from High School, Lydia went to work for the Atomic Energy Commission in Los Alamos, NM. In 1954 the offices were moved to Alburquerque and Lydia continued working there until 1955, when she married US Air Force Sgt. Paul E. Tucker. Lydia and Paul moved to southern Missouri after he retired from the Air Force. When her husband died in 1992, Lydia moved to the Faith Countryside Retirement Community in Highland, IL. She attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Poplar Bluff, MO, and St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL. Lydia loved sewing and quilting. She made most of her own clothes and was often working on projects for her friends, including hemming clothing and repairing treasured quilts. She was a talented and creative quilt designer and won a blue ribbon for her “Red Horse” entry at the age of 80.  She was generous with her time and made many baby quilts for her friends’ children and grandchildren. She designed beautiful wall hangings to celebrate the seasons and holidays. Lydia loved getting to know people and she was blessed to have many wonderful friends of all ages. She loved to learn and was still active on her computer and iPad where she read books, surfed the internet, and played Wordle. Lydia’s greatest passion and joy was being a mother. There was nothing Lydia enjoyed more than spending time with her children and grandchildren. She gave her children the gift of knowing that they were always loved completely and unconditionally.

    Lydia was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Tucker; parents, Marcos and Frances Abreu; daughter, Gloria Tucker; son-in-law, Richard Alexander; and daughter-in-law, Pam Tucker.

    She is survived by four children, Lisa (John) Epps, Glen Carbon, IL, Carmen Alexander, Waunakee, WI, Paul (Julie) Tucker, Poplar Bluff, MO, and Mark Tucker, Lafayette, IN; four grandchildren, Daniel (Heather) Epps, Troy, IL, Jacob Epps, Edwardsville, IL, Wendy (Joe) Donley, Noble, MO, and Josh (Krista) Duncan, Monroe, MI; and seven great grandchildren.

    No memorial gift is necessary – please remember Lydia in your heart.

    Visitation: Saturday, December 28, 2024, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

    Burial will take place at Poplar Bluff City Cemetery at a later date.

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

5 Condolences
 
  1. Jennifer Stenger / December 24, 2024 at 5:16 pm

    I am saddened by the passing of Lydia. At 97, she lived a long and full life, filled with warmth, humor, and kindness. She was a shining example of strength and grace, always bringing a smile to those around her with her wit and infectious personality. I will miss most Aunt Carmen sharing our travels pictures with Lydia and the funny responses she would have. 🙂 My thoughts and deepest condolences are with Lydia’s family and friends during this time of loss. Love, Jenn Stenger

  2. Susan Bowman / December 27, 2024 at 7:46 am

    My Condolences to the Family of Lydia…
    Lydia was a dear friend to Ethel Bowman, my mother in law. They were best friends and buddies at Faith Countryside Villages starting in the 90s for many years. They had many adventures together, i.e. going to movies, lunch, visiting at each others houses.

    As part of Ethel’s family, we saw Lydia often. She was always SO friendly. She always had a smile on her face. We would also see her in church at St. Paul and we would always go out of our way to say “Hello” after mass.

    Now in later years, my parents have been at Cedarhurst for the last year, and I have gotten to have a few more conversations with Lydia.

    What a beautiful lady…she will be missed.

  3. Linda Marti / December 27, 2024 at 1:48 pm

    Give our sympathy to Lydia Family From het friends Leona and Linda Marti we live in Faith Country Side Village Thank you

  4. Sharon Klostermann / December 28, 2024 at 2:44 pm

    God bless sweet little Lydia! She’s already in heaven!
    I remember her in my night prayers! She was such a joy to know- so positive! I loved visiting w/ her- she knew so much. One time we even talked about the presidents ( as I know she lived through so many!) She was always interested in the village, as she called it, even after she moved to Cedarhurst.

  5. Sharon Klostermann / December 28, 2024 at 2:48 pm

    What a joy to know Lydia! I know she’s already in heaven! Such a positive little person, always wanting to know the happenings in the Village, even after she moved to Cedarhurst! I remember her in my nightly prayers! God bless Lydia!

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