Elizabeth (Betty) J. Tucci, 85, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 22, 2011, at St. Peter‘s Hospital in Helena.
A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Betty was born to Edward and Dora (Jensen) McCall on March 21, 1925. Betty attended schools in St. Paul and graduated from George Washington High School in 1943. She graduated from St. Catherine’s College School of Nursing in 1946. Betty worked in surgery and for various doctors before going west to practice nursing in Yellowstone National Park. Through a mutual friend, Betty met Thomas (Tom) Tucci from Livingston, Montana; they were married in 1951, and settled in Livingston. Betty worked for a local doctor part-time, while spending time with her two young children (Helen and Andy). Tom and Betty moved to Billings, Montana in 1955 where their next two children were born (Mary and Paul). Betty quit nursing to raise their family. During this time Betty took up the game of golf, was a 4-H leader, and enjoyed playing bridge.
In 1967, Tom moved the family to Helena, Montana. Betty became an avid golfer, enjoying rounds with Tom, family members and friends. She was involved in club activities and tournaments at Bill Roberts and Green Meadow Golf Courses. After Tom retired, they traveled to Italy, and later Scotland, where they golfed at St. Andrew’s. During several winters, Tom and Betty traveled to Florida, Arizona, and California seeking warm weather and green golf courses. During one stay in California, Betty scored two holes-in-one, a feat not matched by many.
Betty enjoyed sewing and knitting. Many of her framed crewel work pictures hang in the homes of her children. Her handiwork includes Christmas stockings for all family members, and most recently for her two granddaughters-in-law. Betty was a voracious reader, reading two to three books a week, sharing her love of a good book with her children and grandchildren.
Betty had a servant’s heart. She volunteered her time at the Four Georgians Elementary School library, and for Hospice of St. Peter’s Hospital, where she assisted for over 20 years.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband Tom, brothers Paul, John, and Edward, and sisters Agnes and Alicia. Betty will be greatly missed by her family: children Helen (Jack Nielson), Andy (Becky), Mary (Mark Bryson), and Paul (Niki); siblings Sister Sheila McCall and Leo McCall, and several nieces and nephews. Betty also has 13 grandchildren, all of whom she loved very much and all of whom cherished every moment with “Grandma Betty”: Luke, Drew, John and Marie Nielson of Anchorage, Alaska, Erik (Meagan) Nielson of Brooklyn, Wisconsin; Matthew (Sarah) Tucci of San Diego, California, Michael and Hannah Tucci of Austin, Texas; Grady and Sarah Bryson of Montana City, Montana; and Tom, Ryan, and Anna Tucci of Orinda, California.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. today, January 24th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be noon Tuesday, January 25th at Cathedral of Saint Helena. Interment will follow at Montana State Veterans Cemetery Ft. Harrison. A reception will then be held in the Brondel Center, located in the lower level of the Cathedral. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Thomas and Elizabeth Tucci Family Endowment at Carroll College, 1601 North Benton Avenue, Helena, Montana 59601. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.
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Bill Coddington says
Hello Mary, I am so sorry to read about the passing of your mother. You are the fruits of her labor and she did a marvelous job when I remember you.
Bill
Dean and Ruth Reed says
To the Tucci family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. We were blessed to count your mother and father among our most precious of friends.
Dean and Ruth Reed
Jo Bryson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God give you strength and courage and keep loving memories alive in your hearts.
Love and Blessings,
Jo and Paul
John E McCall, Jr says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Betty was a great aunt, gentle and sweet in the midst of the boisterous McCall clan. She is at peace with God eternally.
Karen Sawyer says
Dear Tucci family,
Our thought and prayers are with you.
Love,
Blake, Karen, Kevin, and Katie Sawyer
Lynne Browne says
Mary and family,
Our thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Lynne and Trent Browne
Marilyn Yetter Olson says
Paul and Family,
I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, may your faith hold up up during this time.
RandyRoutzahn says
Mary and family;
You are in our prayers with the loss of your mother. I know how much time you spent together these last years. She was a great mom and you will have that forever. Randy, Lisa and Tanner
Samson Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this sad time of passing. Knowing that your parents are together, in a place known through our faith, may the memories of your time together bring peace and smiles in the coming years.
The “Sunhaven” Samsons
Marilyn
Linda McCauley
Susan Kiebert
Dick
Bob
Carol Gullickson
Mark
Stephanie, Steve & Tallen Miller says
Dear Mary and Family,
Our hearts go out to all of you in this time of sorrow. We pray that you feel the love of God enfolding you during your couragous journey through grief.
With Caring Thoughts! Steph
Vickie Rauser says
Mary & Family –
My condolences to you on your loss. My prayers are with you during this time of sadness.