Joan Leona Tucker

Joan L. Myrick (Tucker), born on September 26, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, brought warmth, excitement, and a radiant spirit to everyone she met. The only child of Agnes Janifer of Norristown, PA, and Jesse Emmanuel Myrick of Dinwiddie County, VA, Joan embraced her New York roots with pride, embodying the city's trademark attitude, drive, and determination to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

In the early 1940s, Joan and her mother ventured west to California, eventually settling in Richmond. There, she attended Richmond High School and continued her education at Contra Costa College. Shortly after graduating in 1953 with her associate of arts degree, she moved to Los Angeles to attend nursing school and later moved to Pennsylvania to pursue her first career as a Registered Nurse in the OBGYN department at the Pennsylvania hospital.

It was during this period she met and married Connie Tucker and later had three children: Richard, Kathey, and David.

During her tenure as a registered nurse in 1963, she contracted acute hepatitis from a patient. This initiated an extensive period of specialized medical care, hospitalization, and multiple surgeries prior to receiving a life-saving donor liver transplant in May 1991. Fourteen months later, she competed in the U.S. Transplant Games in Los Angeles, earning a bronze medal in the 1500-meter walk for the 45+ age group.

In 1972, Joan returned to Contra Costa College to pursue library studies and later worked as a librarian there for 25 years before retiring.

As a child, she played violin, tap danced, and traveled with loved ones. Later, she enjoyed periodic trips to Reno for Keno and slot machines. She was active in the Retired Public Employee Association and Catholic Daughters of America, helping organize bake sales, bingo fundraisers, and supporting the parish.

Joan's legacy lives on in her children and their spouses: Richard and Annie Tucker, Kathey Tucker, David and Yvette Tucker, her beloved granddaughter Cyrena, and a host of cousins, friends, and devoted caregivers. She is preceded in death by her grandson Richard Tucker Jr. (RJ).

Joan's life was rich with joy, happiness, and an unwavering care for others, a reflection of her appreciation for the blessings she received. Her brilliance was infectious, and she will

always be remembered as the sunshine in our lives. Joan will forever remain in our hearts, cherished and loved by all who knew her.