Edith Lavina Tuck

Edith Lavina Tuck, age 93, of La Grande, died January 9, 2010 at a local care facility. A funeral will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the Summerville Cemetery Chapel. Viewing will be held on Tuesday from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street in La Grande.

Mrs. Tuck was born on May 17, 1916, the daughter of Henry Oliver and Nellie Lavina (Villers) Bewley in Stonington, Colorado and was one of 13 children. She enjoyed being next to the oldest and helped provide care for her brothers and sisters. Edith married John Tuck on April 3, 1934, at Utleyville, Colorado where they resided until March 1938 when they moved to Monroe, Oregon, and later relocated to Summerville in 1942.

John's occupation was raising grains, grass seeds and farm animals until he retired in 1974. Edith spent her time helping in the fields and garden, cleaning, cooking and canning food for the family. During harvest time she cooked large hot meals and delivered them to the crews in the fields.

She worked as second cook in the lunch program at Imbler School and was also chairman of the PTA for a period of time. She was also instrumental in setting up a program for parents and teachers to meet and review students' grades and activities.

Edith was a skilled seamstress with the ability to design and sew beautiful clothes for her daughters, granddaughters and friends. Edith moved to the La Grande Retirement apartments in 1985 after John's death in 1984. She made many friends there including Lee Donald Smith, who remained a long and loyal friend. She enjoyed participating in various activities such as dominoes. In 2005 she moved to the Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation Center in La Grande where she resided until her death. She loved the staff and residents and activities at the center and was a fervent bingo player.

Edith was preceded in death by her husband, John, her son, Johnnie LeeRoy and 7 of her brothers and sisters.

Survivors include her children, Anita Grace Smith of Island City, Robert Eugene Tuck of La Grande, Edith Louise Leary of Boise and Nelline Mae Burnett of Forest Grove; eleven grandchildren; twenty five great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; siblings, Chester Bewley, Lester Bewley, Boyd Bewley, Marie Colbert and Darlene Housing and other relatives and friends. She was preceded by her husband, one grandchild and seven siblings.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mrs. Tuck to the Summerville Baptist Church or the charity of one's choice in care of Daniels~Knopp. The family would like to thank the staff at Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation Center for their excellent and compassionate care and Pastor Frank Humber for his kind ministry.

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