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Tucky Elliott

August 19, 2017
Kalamazoo, MI

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Tucky Elliott, age 81, of Kalamazoo, MI died Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo. She was born in Duluth, MN on February 27, 1936, one of four children. Her unusual name was a result of not liking her given name and liking to be tucked into bed at night. Most people didn't know her legal name. Everyone called her Tucky. She graduated from high school in Duluth before graduating from Carleton College in Northfield MN. After moving to Kalamazoo in 1960, Tucky became very active in the community. She served on the board of several committees including the Parks and Recreation and was Chair of CDAAC. She also provided outstanding service on the boards of Kalamazoo Symphony, Kalamazoo Arts Council, Goodwill Industries, ROI and others. Tucky was an active member of the Kalamazoo Rotary. She was a strong supporter of the 1970s effort to integrate the Kalamazoo School system. She was also a very active "Hockey Mom", including travelling to Russia and Finland with a local select team for which her youngest son played. As a single Mom, Tucky strongly supported her 4 children. As the kids became more self-sufficient, Tucky decided to return to the job market. From 1983-1988, she was Director of Development at Kalamazoo College. In 1988, Tucky was asked by the President of Carleton College, her alma mater, to establish and lead a team to develop and install a new program to manage the Alumni Annual Fund. The program has been very successful as the Alumni giving has increased significantly over the years and now ranks as one of the top programs in the country. After the program was functioning, Tucky returned to Kalamazoo. She later served as a Carleton Trustee and was awarded the Carleton College Exceptional Service Award. On February 27, 1999, Tucky married Chuck Elliott, the love of her life. They both believed they had a perfect partnership. In 2005, they shared the Arts Council Theodore Cooper Award. Tucky received other awards recognizing her service to the community including The Goodwill Lifetime Achievement Award and the ROI Certificate of Appreciation. She is survived by her husband, Chuck, her children, Liz Rogers of Wellesley MA, Dave Walker (Maribeth Malecki)of Potomac MD, Carol Wellbaum (Lance) of Edwards CO and Bill Walker (Mary) of Arvada CO, her stepchildren Tim Elliott (Theresa) of Oakland Township, MI and Christine Elliott of New Lenox IL; her grandchildren, Abby Rogers, Caroline Rogers, Graham Walker, Jackson Walker, Shannon Walker, Cassidy Wellbaum, Addison Walker, Grant Walker, her step grandchildren Bobby Elliott, Katie Elliott, Amanda Elliott, Emily Elliott, sisters-in-law Nancy McCarthy, Ellen McCarthy, Nancy Elliott and Adel Elliott, brother-in-law Jim Elliott as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her brother Denis, her twin brother, David and her sister Mary. At Tucky's request, no public service will be held. A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, September 5 from 2-5pm at The Beacon Club, 5830 Portage Road, Portage MI 49002. All friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tucky's memory may be made to Goodwill Industries (Goodwill Industries of Southwest Michigan, Attn: Denise King, 420 East Alcott Street, Kalamazoo MI 49001), ROI (Residential Opportunities, Inc.,1100 South Rose Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001) or another charity of your choice.