Frances Elizabeth (Repasky) "Fran" Tucker

Fran Tucker of Blanchester, Ohio passed away January 20, 2024 at the age of 73 after a brief illness.  Born December 30, 1950 to the late Raymond and Helen Repasky.  Fran was married to Kevin Tucker in April, 1974.  They would have been married fifty years this April.

Fran is survived by sons, Casey (Jenny) Tucker of Utica, Ohio; Carson (Laura) Tucker of West Lafayette, Indiana; Cassidy (Jennifer) Tucker of Loveland, Ohio; and daughter, Courtney (Scott) Tucker-Hayden of Wilmington, Ohio.  Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a baby.

She is also survived by her precious grandsons, Kannon Hyatt Tucker, Raiden Stihl Tucker, and Kyrix Ridge Tucker.   Two brothers, Stan Repasky and Ted Repasky; a sister Teresa Ghazoul;  Mother-in-Law Vernadene Tucker, Sister-in-Law Cynthia (Ron) Beckman; Brother-in-Law Doug Tucker; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Fran was very much influenced by her Mennonite baby-sitter, Elsie Yoder, who taught her the love of needlework, reading, gardening, and cooking at a very young age.  She stayed in touch with Elsie throughout her life.  Fran was extremely talented and artistic, doing beautiful cross-stitch pieces, sewing and other crafts.  Always humble, she would rarely frame her own artwork but would always have the next project ready to do.  She loved decorating and styling her home with colonial and primitive furniture. 

Her grandsons thought she was the best cook ever, especially “homemade Sloppy Joe’s, applesauce and tater tots” which became a song as well as a meal.  Occasionally, “Shpagetti” or “Hot Dog Shmorgasboard” were on the menu and she always included the grandsons in the cooking process as a chance to teach them math as well as spend time with them.  She loved her children and being a mom but being “MawMaw” to her grandsons was one of her greatest joys.  Her family was her biggest source of pride.

Fran was very intelligent.  She graduated from Mt. Carmel School of Nursing in 1972 and started her nursing career in pediatrics.  After 20 years in pediatrics, she worked for the Ohio Department of Health as a Nurse Surveyor inspecting nursing homes and group residential facilities. She retired in 2011 after nearly 40 years in nursing.  She remained in touch with several of her Mt. Carmel classmates and recently celebrated her 50th class reunion.

Fran loved animals.  She rescued over 50 dogs and cats. Money was no object when it came to making sure they received proper care.   Raccoons, foxes, opossums, rabbits, chipmunks, toads, and birds were also recipients of her kindness.  She had an incredible sense of humor and really enjoyed listening to her children tell their versions of “mom stories.”  An avid reader, Fran could often finish a book in a day.  She especially loved detective stories and frequently solved the mystery before the end.  She made sure her children always had plenty of books to read, and she enjoyed reading to her grandsons.  Fran spoiled her family and was very much loved.  She will be incredibly missed. 

A Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 AM, Monday, February 19, 2024 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 73 N. Mulberry Street, Wilmington, Ohio.   Smith Funeral Home in Wilmington, Ohio is serving the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Fran may be made to Mt. Carmel School of Nursing Scholarship Fund in Columbus; Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati; Friends of the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee; or The Cincinnati Zoo in Cincinnati.

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