Mary Eloise Tucker (Fry)

Mary Eloise Tucker, of Montrose, passed away peacefully on Saturday November 22, 2014 at the age of 95.  Mary was known for her business acumen and good-heartedness. She was born to Anna and Oliver Fry on September 12th, 1919 in Waukon, Iowa.  She grew up in Cheyenne Wells, First View and Gunnison, Colorado. Mary’s business skills began early.  One of her favorite memories was selling ice cream in her dad’s store. She always preserved the soda straw dispenser and some little ice cream cups from that venture. She went on to help manage her dad’s business.

In 1937, she married John Tucker and moved to Ohio City, CO. They had two daughters, Sheryl and Sheila and moved from Colorado to Utah and back. She started as a salesperson with Montgomery Wards in Gunnison and moved her family to Montrose when she was hired to manage their new catalog store. She worked for Wards for 25 years, becoming a regional manager, training employees and opening new stores. John and Mary divorced in 1967. She later  owned Gibbs Answering Service and Gibbs Land Company. She retired in 2000.

Mary was gracious, generous and caring. The passion behind all her businesses was the opportunity to interact with people and help them. Nearly every conversation with her would include, “Let me know if I can do anything to help.” Along with spending time with family, Mary loved horses, high heels, outdoor activities, reading, crochet, shopping, watching baseball, entertaining, piloting a small plane and drinking Dr Pepper. She was an adventurous and capable self-made woman who never ceased to amaze.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Sheryl Young; grandchildren, Fred Petersen, Mary Young, Verna Betz, Jacquelyn Ormsbee, Stephanie Davis and husband, Dave Oswald, Chris Ormsbee and wife, Wendy Jilek, Gerald Ormsbee, and Ken Ormsbee; great-grandchildren, William Garrett, Alana Lin, Arrik Oswald, Ian Oswald, Francisco Arechiga, Kyle Oswald, Kelsey Oswald, Aliya Oswald, Skylar Young, Sofia Ormsbee, Nikolas Ormsbee, Tim Young, Jesse Rouner, Zachery Ormsbee, Nathan Ormsbee, and Dylan Ormsbee; and great-great grandchildren Anthony Young, Damiean Young, and Katelynn Young. She was preceded in death by brothers, Cletus Fry, Keith Fry and Francis Fry; former husband, John Tucker; daughter, Sheila Wilson; and granddaughter, Polly Wallace.

Please join the family in celebrating Mary’s life on Monday December 15th at 4pm at the Crippin Funeral Home chapel.  Memorial contributions can be made to Hope West Hospice. Condolences may also be sent to the family at www.crippinfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements are under the care of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.