TUCKER, Jessica Frances (nee Auston)
September 20, 1914 - October 22, 2012
Died quietly at Mount St Mary Hospital in Victoria. She was born in Madras, India, the daughter of George Tabor Auston (a Customs Officer) and Lilian Jessie Forkgen. She spent her school years as a boarder at the Lawrence School in Lovedale near Ooty in Tamil Nadu. In 1931, at age 17, she "went home" to England where she began her nursing career as a nurse in a TB hospital. She later became a registered nurse at King's College Hospital in London. Frederick Gordon Tucker (known to his friends as Bobby) was an intern at the same hospital. They first met in the nursery when he asked her to help him change a newborn baby's nappies. On March 3, 1940, in the early days of World War II, Bobby came home on leave from France and they were married. Jessica and Bobby had three children. After the war, they lived briefly in Bessels Green, Sevenoaks, Kent. In 1949 the family immigrated to Canada, living in Swan Lake, Manitoba for three years. In 1953 they moved to Haney, British Columbia, where Jessica's love of gardening flourished. After a year in Montreal, when she returned briefly to nursing, the family moved to Vancouver in 1957. Jessica joined the Y - first to learn how to swim (those dratted sailboats) then, when that didn't work, to learn how to relax. That led to yoga, the great passion of her mid-life. Another year away followed, this time in New York. In 1967, when Bobby became the Deputy Minister of the newly created Ministry of Mental Health, they moved to Victoria. Jessica brought her love of yoga and expertise as a yoga instructor to the Victoria Y. She introduced yoga to numerous people in Victoria and had many devoted followers. Jessica was a person of many interests. She had a great love of nature and was an enthusiastic gardener. She was a devout Roman Catholic and she and Bobby belonged to several different parishes over the years including St. Patrick's in Maple Ridge, Sts. Peter and Paul in Vancouver and St. Patrick's in Victoria, She loved art and had a special interest in the paintings and writings of Emily Carr long before it was fashionable to do so. She loved the courses she took, as a mature student, at UVic (in Classics, Philosophy, History in Art, and English), to the point that she took them twice when she thought she hadn't learned everything the first time. She loved music. No matter where they lived, on Saturday afternoons Jessica and Bobby's home was always filled with CBC broadcasts of the Opera. After Bobby's retirement, they travelled extensively in Europe. When they were home they could be seen on their daily rambles around Victoria with their two Corgies. Jessica loved life. After Bobby's death when she was wheelchair bound and suffering from aphasia, someone asked her why she was always smiling. She replied, "Life is a wonderful thing." Jessica will be lovingly remembered for her courage, enthusiasm, and kindness by her family: her daughter Penny Grant and partner Mike, her son John Tucker and partner Christine St. Peter, her daughter Tish Williams and partner Tim de Lange Boom; her grandchildren Elspeth Grant-Smith and partner Glen Smith, Rob Grant and partner Josie, Matthew Breech and partner Shino Watanabe, Katie Tucker and partner Carl Ernst; and her four great grandchildren Jordan, Brendan, Henry and Charlie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the University of Victoria Chapel on Tuesday, October 30 at 2 p.m. with Father Bill Wilson, SJ celebrant, followed by a reception. The family is deeply grateful to the staff of Mount St Mary Hospital, especially the team of Douglas House, and to Elaine, Judy and Carol for their compassion and loving care. If friends so desire, donations may be made to Mount St Mary Hospital Foundation, 861 Fairfield Road. No flowers please. Jessica's presence in all our lives is deeply felt and we will not forget her courage, wisdom and joy of life.
Published in Vancouver Sun and/or The Province on October 27, 2012
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Arrangements under the direction of:
First Memorial Funeral Services
1155 Fort Street | Victoria, BC V8V3K9 | (250) 384-5512
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Victoria, BC (250) 384-5512
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