Sister Marcella Marie Tucker, OP, of Dominican Convent, Sparkill, New York, died on December 26, 2011 in Siena Hall Infirmary, Sparkill, NY. Born in St. Louis, MO, on September 6, 1922, Mary Tucker was the daughter of Calvin and Anna Cissell Tucker. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1940 and became known as Sister Marcella Marie, professing her first vows in 1943 and her final vows in 1948.
Sister Marcella Marie earned a BA in Elementary Education from Webster College, MO an MA in St. Louis University, MO and a Masters of Divinity in Theology from Yale University, CT. During her professional life, Sister Marcella Marie was an elementary and high school teacher.
She served in the Archdioceses of New York and St. Louis, and in the Diocese of Rockville Center. She taught at Holy Redeemer, St. Louis, MO (1943-48 & 1961-65); St. Columba, Chester, NY (1948-49); St. Ignatius Day Nursery, New York, NY (1949-50); St. Rose of Lima, New York, NY (1950-51); St. Mark, St. Louis, MO (1951-59); Little flower, St. Louis, MO (1959-61); St.
Thomas More, St. Louis, MO (1965-67) and Holy Trinity HS, Hicksville, NY (1967-78). In 1978 Sister Marcella Marie began her studies in Theology and used her skills as a Spiritual Director, Pastoral Minister, DRE and Hospital Chaplain working at Jarrett House Evangelical Center, Detroit, MI, Our Holy Redeemer Parish, Freeport, NY, St. Patrick’s Parish, Bedford, NY and New York University Hospital, New York, NY. In 2001 she became a resident in Siena Hall Infirmary.
We will remember Marcella Marie for her appreciation and commitment to what it means to be Dominican: her passion for study and truth; her sharing of the gift of her preaching – touching the lives of many she met along her journey. We thank her for her seventy-one years as a Dominican Sister of Sparkill and we ask the good Lord to give her a place in the kingdom of the saints. May she now rest in peace of the Lord.