Irene A. Tucker

Irene A. Tucker, Fishers, passed away March 8, 2016 at the age of 91. She was born in Richmond, VA, the middle child of the late Carl Newman and Ophelia Mildred (Whitaker) Wallnau. Her younger sister Gloria (Wallnau) Ferguson preceded her in passing. Her older brother Carl Jr. lives in Newtown, Pennsylvania.

A devoted wife and mother, she was married for 59 wonderful years to Merrill G. Tucker. They met in 1944 in Richmond while he was stationed at Richmond Army Air Base training P-47 pilots during World War II. Irene and Merrill were married in Tabernacle Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis in 1946 following his return from the war. They raised two sons, Richard Merrill (Wendy Clapsaddle), who passed away in 2001, and David Neil (Martha) Tucker.

Irene was the proud grandmother of Christopher (Heather) Tucker of Denver, CO, Richard (Melisa) Tucker, of Brooklyn, New York and Elizabeth (Kevin) Darrell, of Tacoma Park, MD. She was blessed with two beautiful great-grandchildren, Jack Neil Tucker and the latest addition this year, Scarlett Rae Darrell. She was very much a devoted aunt to the sons of her younger sister, Tom (Jackie) Ferguson of Denver, CO and Bob Ferguson of Oakland, CA.

Irene was a member of St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church and the Sisterhood of P.E.O. International Chapter CF, serving as chapter president 3 times. She was a member of Carolyn Scott Harrison Chapter DAR. Irene was Past-President of the Courtyard Lakes HOA serving as a board member and office holder for nearly ten years.

A talented professional water color artist, Irene trained with and was heavily influenced by Floyd Hopper, Henry Bell, Jerry Smith, and Rob O’Dell among other well-known Indiana artists. Her works won multiple awards in juried shows from the late 1970s to the late 1980s, including Hoosier Salon, Water Color Society and the Indiana State Fair. Her nearly 200 works are represented in collections from Washington State to North Carolina. She is a past member of Indiana Artists Club, Watercolor Society of Indiana, Hoosier Salon and Indianapolis Art League. She completed her last watercolor at the age of 90 and a handful of uncompleted ones remain on her easel.

When she wasn’t in a meeting at the HOA or P.E.O., “Renie” enjoyed playing bridge with neighbors and friends or knitting something new for the great-grandchildren. Irene was an avid reader with a full Kindle and a stack of biographies of first ladies, world leaders and famous personalities like Teddy Roosevelt and Harry Truman. She was reading “The Preacher and the Presidents” about Billy Graham as she fell ill.

Memorial services for Irene to celebrate her wonderful life will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 24, 2016, at Flanner and Buchanan – Carmel, 325 East Carmel Drive. Visitation will be from 12 noon until the time of service.

Irene was excited to support all five P.E.O. charitable projects, but especially the Continuing Education and Scholarship programs. Memorial contributions can be directed to P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312. Contributions may also be made to Hoosier Salon, 711 E. 65th St., Indianapolis, IN 46220.

Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.