Carolyn Tucker, a veteran Public Relations practitioner in Chicago for many years passed on January 30. She was 62.
Services will be held Friday, February 10 at Trinity United Church of Christ, 400 West 95th St, Chicago. Wake at 10 a.m., funeral at 11 a.m., burial and repast immediately following.
The service will be live-streamed starting at 11 a.m. at www.trinitychicago.org
Born December 5, 1960, Tucker was raised in the Englewood community, nurtured she was proud to say by Christian parents who instilled in her an appreciation for inter-generational family ties and influences. She attributed those influences to her life’s success.
An exceptional student, Tucker attended Lindblom High School. There, she rose to the top leadership position of Commander of Lindblom’s JROTC battalion. She was the first female to earn that rank in the history of the Chicago Public Schools’ JROTC program.
Tucker earned her Master of Science in Journalism degree at Northern Illinois University, and later held leadership positions at public relations, communications and media relations agencies, including Burrell Communications, RJ Dale Advertising and Public Relations, Danielle Ashley, and most recently, Goldstar Communications.
She also held executive PR and communications positions with the City of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, Argosy University, City Colleges of Chicago, Metra and the Great Lakes Naval Training Station.
Tucker was as beautiful, ebullient and fiery as her signature red hair. Red was her brand. Red hair, red fingernails, red garments, red bed linens and even a snazzy red Lexus. Red energized her life.
She was known for always looking on the bright side and was outgoing and gregarious, a trait that stood her in good stead in her profession. She never met a stranger, and colleagues say her quirky sense of humor always brought a smile to others’ faces.
A multifaceted woman, Tucker was passionate about politics and waxed eloquently about the daily topics she stayed abreast of on MSNBC, CNN and Politics Nation. Singing for Jesus was another of her passions beginning as a child, continuing through her college days at Northern Illinois University, and she sang with the Sanctuary Choir of Trinity United Church of Christ. Tucker assisted in editing the Trinity Trumpet Newsletter. She devoted many years to supporting the liturgical dance ministry of the New Life Dance Company
Though a busy career woman, Tucker extended her talents to community initiatives. She volunteered on a variety of projects for the Chicago Sinfonietta and Stroger Hospital’s Department of Volunteer Services and its Auxiliary.
Tucker is survived by sisters Sheila Tucker, Janice Tucker Shepard, and a brother, James B. Tucker, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either the Auxiliary at Stroger Hospital for their programs in support of cancer patients, or the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois in support of kidney health and education.
To donate to the Auxiliary at Stroger online using a credit/debit card go to http://www.auxiliarystrogerhospital.org/donate-membership and click on “Donate to Programs,” then select “Cancer Programs” and Carolyn Tucker’s name.
To donate to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois go to http://www.NKFI.org and click on “Donate,” then “I would like to dedicate this donation.” Next, click on type of tribute—In Memory Of.
