Obituary of Marie L. Tucker

Marie Leslie Powell was born to the late Frank Powell and the late Peggy Gwaltney Powell of (Malden/Boston), Ma. on July 14th, 1929. She was one of six children and was raised in Malden as a young child then moved to Boston where she attended Roxbury Memorial High School.  She was a typical young lady of her time and grew up with a proud sense of self, that over time, got molded into a BOLD, and sometimes obstinate personality that we all came to know and love as “Ma”, “Nana” “ReRE”, “Mrs. Tucker”, or simply “Marie,” especially, by her loving husband Donald V. Tucker.

Marie’s life revealed itself in its own order. Marie was blessed to have one son, James A. Williams, “Scooter”, in January of 1952. In the early sixties, Donald came into her life.  She found that Donald was her knight in shining armor. He came into her life accepting all of her including the responsibility of assisting in raising her somewhat challenging ten-year-old son, and, forever caring for her, even as they grew older, facing illnesses and ailments. They persevered most importantly together.

Marie worked several jobs, but loved Morgan Memorial because of its “Goodwill” mission. Not only did Marie have goodwill in her heart, her legacy is carried out in her only child and grandchildren where aspects of her character, innately and distinguishable, unfold. This legacy speaks to her strength and perseverance, as she held together in spite of hard times or challenges, even “holding in there” through many years dealing with Alzheimers.

Before her illness, Marie was content croqueting, watching Paul Newman and Sidney Poiter movies and “I Love Lucy”; listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Johnny Mathis. She was also a prolific reader and loved crossword puzzles, however, she found her greatest joy in family. Sometimes if the situation called for it, she would have to “Read “ someone and could walk up one side of you and come down the other, but she loved each and everyone of us.