Monday, April 5, 2010

ANF member, Mrs. Jeri Lee Tucker, passed away on Easter Morning, 52 years after entering the Church

In case you haven't heard Mrs. Jeri Lee Tucker passed away this Easter Morning. 

It seems her death was very peaceful.  She was surrounded by, her husband Robert, daughter Robin and members of the David Shibler family at the point she passed.

At about 2:00 AM Robin realizing that she might die soon asked Mrs. Tucker, who by then was no longer able to communicate, if she wanted her to call the David Shibler family to come.  If so she asked her mother to move her foot which Mrs. Tucker did.

The Shibler family went directly there after attending Easter Midnight Mass, arriving in time to pray the prayers for the dying and a rosary by her bed, before Mrs. Tucker peacefully breathed her last at about 4:00 AM.

Mrs. Tucker, for those that you that may not know, was a convert to Catholicism who was baptized during the Easter vigil mass 52 years ago.

She was also a staunch supporter of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) and a member of America Needs Fatima.

What most struck me about her was the fact the she was both "Mother hen" to members of the TFP and "strong women of the gospel" in defense of our Lady and holy mother Church, all rolled into one.

She and Mr. Tucker first met the TFP in around 1976, when a caravan (group TFP members travelling the country doing campaigns on different issues) stopped at their St. Louis home on the way back from Texas.

Mr. Paul Folley, longtime member of the TFP, who now heads up the TFP in Australia recalled how impressed Mrs. Tucker was with her first encounter with TFP.  Years later she would recall that first meeting with "all those men and boys" which she said, "always astounded her."

The TFP was truly her pride and joy and she never missed an opportunity to heap praise on the group and gratitude for the apostolate done.

Mr. Folley and I spent many, many nights in the Tucker home and after long hours on the road, it was a safe haven where one could really recharge their batteries.

It was truly a home away from home and Mrs. Tucker was always like a second mother, but we always knew that besides being a "mother hen", always looking out for our needs and satisfying our every desire, she also had the iron will of the "strong woman of the gospel."

She never refused those in the TFP anything and for this we are greatly appreciative.

Her last months on this earth were extremely painful.  Because the cancerous tumor in her abdomen area became so large it pressed against other organs, causing her a great deal of pain, she was unable to lie down and was forced to sleep in an bolt upright position.  Yet through it all she accepted these sufferings with a heroic resignation and a cheerful disposition towards others who happened to visit.

It is consoling for us that God chose to take her from this valley of tears on the day His Son resurrected from the dead.  Please pray for the repose of her soul.   May she rest in peace.

Written by Norman Fulkerson

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