ARGYLE – Shirley LaVerne (Collins) Tucker, went home to the God she believed in and trusted all her life, Tuesday morning, February 10, 2015. She passed away peacefully, after a long struggle with severe Alzheimers, at the Washington Center in Argyle, with a caring staff attending.
She was born in the Town of Kingsbury, February 21, 1929 to the late Myrtle Cane Collins and Allen S. Collins. Named by her brother, Homer, she was the fourth of seven children and the first girl.
Growing up in Glens Falls during World War II, she was very touched by the many casualties appearing in the Post Star each day. She cut out pictures, started a memorial scrap book, and prayed for them. She kept a Bible and a flag on top.
When her father went to the Red Cross Bank to give his faithful blood donation, she went with him. Too young to give blood, she asked the attendant “What can I do?” He pointed to an Uncle Sam Buy Bonds poster. She decided to sell bonds. Kresges’ 5 & 10 set up a small table with an adult to oversee and she sold as many as she could for months. The Post Star took her picture at the table with an arrow pointing to her brother, Winfred Collins, in his Army Air Corp uniform. He was on active duty with the 58th Air Service Group in the midst of the Asian Warfront, General MacArthur’s Zone. The arrow read “She Helps Him.” He came home safely and with distinction.
Shirley was active in the Girl Scouts, sang in the choir at the First Baptist Church on Maple St., where her son, John, now belongs. She was on the bowling Team in High School and got awesome scores, some making the sports section.
She graduated from Glens Falls High School, Class of 1947, and one week later, married her former late husband, William J. Tucker, Jr., started a family and moved to a farm.
She had a setback when a fire totally demolished their farm house in Ft. Miller and they lost everything, including pictures, yearbooks, her precious memorial scrapbook and all belongings.
Several years later, she suffered a stroke at Binch’s and had to retire on disability.
Shirley loved driving new cars, camping and travelling with good friend, Margaret Labosier and all their kids, the Argyle Presbyterian Church, the camp at Lake Cossayuna, her pet dogs, the color yellow, the annual Collin’s reunion picnic with all the people she loved, sewing crafts, making mac and cheese, Frank Sinatra, voting Democrat and most of all her three children, granddaughter and two great granddaughters.
She is survived by her children, John W. Tucker, Maurice Tucker and Jeanne Dashnaw; her granddaughter, Jennifer Disch; her great granddaughters, Emileigh and Hayleigh Disch; her sister, Jean McGregor Kelleher; her half sister, Telesa J. Collins; her sister in law, Leona L. Collins; her nieces, Diane M. Ellmers, Pamela M. Labrum, Jodie L. Chandler, Gail Collins, Patricia Burch and Kathleen A. Smith; her nephews, Douglas E. Collins, Ronald W. Collins, Michael Eugene Collins, Bruce P. McGregor, Brian P. McGregor, Brett A. McGregor, Tony Chandler and Earl Michael Collins.
She was predeceased by her parents, brothers, Homer E. Collins, Winfred A. Collins, Donald L. Collins, Vernon W. Collins, Earl R. Collins; her sisters in law, Lela F. Collins, Dawn D. Collins and Jane Collins, her brothers in law, Peter B. McGregor and David D. Kelleher, her nephews, Donald W. Collins and Shannon Chandler and her niece, Traccee Chandler.
A Graveside Service will be conducted in the spring at Union Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.
Arrangements are under the care of Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
The last time Shirley was able to speak to family, she said, “I want to go to HEAVEN.” By the grace of God Shirley, the gates will open wide, you will meet Jesus and Loved Ones-waiting inside! We love you, the Family.
