in memory
Gladys Mae Hartz Tucker Gladys Mae Hartz Tucker March 1, 1911 - January 25, 2012
Gladys Mae Hartz Tucker, a longtime champion of Oklahoma City University’s Bass School of Music and a founding member of the school’s Executive Advisory Board, passed away just prior to her 101st birthday. She was born March 1, 1911, in La Porte City, Iowa, and was a resident of Oklahoma City for 60 years. She loved being an Oklahoman and was also proud and close to her Iowa roots. As a girl growing up in Iowa, she loved playing the piano and riding her horse, Nunda, for both pleasure and transportation. She graduated valedictorian of her high school class in La Porte City and went on to George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The early death of her mother took her back to Iowa to help care for her father, but she returned to Washington, D.C., during World War II. While there, she had a memorable experience helping Eleanor Roosevelt respond to all of the correspondence Mrs. Roosevelt received during the war that had overwhelmed her office. While working with the Civil Service in Washington she met Lieutenant JG Morrison was an inspiraGraham Tucker, who asked her on a rainy tional woman. Her love of music was Saturday to lunch and a movie. They were married in November of 1944. Not long afmatched by her knowledge of music. ter, they moved to Caracas, Venezuela, where She was a great asset to the School of they lived for five years while Mr. Tucker Music Executive Advisory Board. Her helped manage farming and ranching interests owned by the Rockefeller family. insight and advice were of great help Daughter, Suzanne, was born in 1947, to me during this most unprecedented and son, John, was born in 1949. The family period of growth of the School. Her moved to Oklahoma City in 1951. Both Tuckers embraced Oklahoma City enthusiastically contributions will impact students at and became very involved civically. Gladys the Bass School forever. Tucker was chair of the Oklahoma City Horse Show, worked with Mercy Hospital, and sang Mark Parker, dean of the Wanda L. in the choir at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Morrison Bass School of Music G. Tucker served as a trustee of Oklahoma City University for 20 years. Gladys Tucker served on the boards of the Oklahoma City Art League, Ballet, and Philharmonic. Later, she served on the boards of Will Rogers Bank and First Security Bank. She also served on the advisory board of the Oklahoma City University School of Music. Music was one of her passions, and her great love of opera found expression in frequent pilgrimages to opera houses in New York, Santa Fe, Dallas, and Tulsa. She also loved and admired all animals and frequently hosted tours of the Oklahoma City Zoo, which she regarded as one of the city’s greatest cultural treasures. Gladys Tucker will be missed by the many whose lives she touched with her love and kindness. She is survived by her children, Suzanne Tucker and John Graham Tucker; her grandson, Morrison Graham Tucker II; her son-in-law, William Lambert Theile; her daughter-in-law, Carmen Elizabeth Tucker; and her grandson’s godfather and adopted son “in spirit,” James Owen Mathews. A memorial service was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oklahoma City. Those who wish to make a contribution in Gladys Tucker’s name may make it to the Gladys Tucker Memorial Fund, care of Bank of Oklahoma Trust Division, 9520 N. May Ave., Ste. 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73125; or to Oklahoma City University School of Music.
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Gladys Tucker
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The Epistle of Gladys Legacy Wishes for Suzanne, John and Graham Be honorable and adhere to the venerable code of honor of never lying, cheating or stealing. Practice kindness and courtesy to one and all. Work at something. Work brings dignity and purpose to one’s life. Read—have a good book going all the time. Be neat.
Enjoy music in your life. Experience the richness, depth and majesty of music, especially classical music that transcends daily life.
Be punctual for appointments. Be a loving and caring and helpful sister, brother, father, son, husband, wife, nephew. Be diligent about keeping fit. At sports or games, win with modesty; lose with dignity. If a hobby does not intrude on your work or fun life, go for it.
Don’t mortgage the farm but include travel in your vacation plans. There are so many interesting and beautiful places to visit and some delightful places (like Tuscany) to which you will want to return.
Be a good citizen—in civic and political affairs. Include philanthropy to the arts and also to help worthy missions like the Salvation Army. Laughter is always a joyful accent. Naturally wear a smile. Nourish your spirituality. The soul is nourished through nature, the arts and prayer.
My Mother was the Most Beautiful Woman I Have Ever Known! Excerpts from a eulogy by daughter Suzanne Tucker Now in her day she was a babe—with Betty Grable good looks. And my Dad used to pat her knee and call her Lover. And they were so devoted to each other. But above all she was so beautiful because she was beautiful inside. It was something that literally radiated from within her in all her relation8 spring 2011 ships, 5and asfocus she nourished, mentored and uplifted people…
… As many of you know, we took many, many wonderful family trips to beautiful places. By the time she was 95 or so she took advantage of the airlines’ wheelchair escort service to help transport her between gates. Feeling a bit self-conscious about using such a service she would broadcast her age to help justify her use of such help and the escort would always ask—“How did you manage to live so long?” And Mom would toss out something like “Keep breathing.” But I always nudged the escort and said, “It’s because she’s made of love.” And of course, that is so true.