Helen Tucker

Helen Tucker, 84, of Oak Harbor, died at Regency on Whidbey Harbor Care on July 29, 2008, following a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Tucker was born in New Orleans, La., on Feb. 19, 1924, to Walter Crow and Louise (Seybold) Crow. She was raised in Chicago, where she graduated from high school. Helen married William Yates in 1948. After living for a time in Chicago suburbs, the couple moved to Cerro Gordo, N.C., and then to the Washington, D.C., area. Mr. Yates passed away in 1966.

Helen became supervisor of civilian personnel at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Arlington, Va., for a number of years. It was in this environment that she met Lester Tucker in the late 1970s. They were married in January 1981, and in this same year they moved to Victor, Mont. They settled in Oak Harbor in 1997.

Helen was a member of the Emblem Club. She was a faithful attendee of the Base Chapel. Helen enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, gardening, knitting and sewing. She was also a musician and enjoyed singing in her lovely soprano voice.

Helen is survived by her husband Les, at home; daughter Kathy Simoneaux of Chester Springs, Pa.; son Scott Yates (Virginia) of Arlington, Va.; two grandchildren, Carla Yates of Woodbridge, Va., and Matthew Yates of Latrobe, Pa.; one brother, Walter Crow (Barbara) of Bay Village, Ohio; also, nieces, nephews and step-children. She was preceded in death by her son, William C. Yates in 2005.

A Memorial Service will be held Monday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m., in Whidbey Memorial Chapel. Private inurnment will take place at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association of Washington, P.O. Box 4101, Bellingham, WA 98227. Arrangements are with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., 746 NE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. Friends and family wishing may sign the online guest register by going to www.whidbeymemorial.com.