Tucker Ranken Giddens

May 14, 1949 - April 9, 2023

Tucker R. Giddens passed away early Easter morning just a month before her 74th birthday. She was the daughter of William B. and Margaret C. Ranken. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Howard Russell Giddens Jr.; her son “Troy” Howard Russell Giddens III; her daughter “Maggie, Magpie” Margaret Tucker Giddens (Ellis J. Chance); brothers David P. Ranken, G. Caperton Ranken (Josie), William B. Ranken Jr. (Kimie).

She was born in Seaford, Delaware and spent her early years living in a variety of places, including four years in Southern California, before returning to Delaware in 1962 and graduating from Tower Hill class of 1967. Friends and colleagues described her as a true force - an example that size does not matter.

Tucker was involved in politics from 1971 until just before her first child was born in 1981. While living in Washington DC, she played an active role in multiple political campaigns and served as Assistant to the National Youth Director Ronald Reagen at the 1976 Republican Convention. In January 1977 she returned to Wilmington to accept the position of District Chief of Constituent Services for Delaware congressman Tom Evans. Through this role she developed expertise in Immigration and Naturalization law, Social Security, Disability and Medicare Benefits, and Veteran Affairs. In 1980, she was named District Director. Politics also introduced her to her husband Howard, and they were married in 1979. She later served as State Chair of the Delaware Reagan for President Committee and was a Congressional liaison to the National Campaign Staff at the 1980 GOP convention.

In addition to her political accomplishments, Tucker was a lifelong volunteer and active member in her community. She served on the board of Planned Parenthood, was House Chair at Vicmead Hunt Club, hosted bingo at the Veterans Administation, was a certified rape crisis counselor, a member of Colonial Dames of Delaware, and a member of Junior Leagues in Mexico City and Wilmington. Additional volunteer engagements included the The Delaware Foundation for Retarded Children, the Commercial Industrial Council, the Junior Board of the Delaware Division Hospital, the Delaware Young Republicans and the THS clothing store “Tower Togs”. Tucker was also an Altar Guild volunteer and active member of Christ Church Mexico City and Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Eucharistic Minister and other work. She will be remembered by many for her distinctive voice as a Lay Reader.

She had a phenomenal tennis officiating career including 19 US Open Championships, countless ATP and USTA Professional level tournaments across the US; Miami, Cincinnati, Indian Wells, and Washington DC, to name a few. She also officiated various Mid-Atlantic World Team Tennis events, NCAA, and Junior tennis matches and tournaments over her career. She was known for her instantly recognizable voice when calling “OUT” during a match.

Despite the many jobs she had throughout her lifetime, the one Tucker loved the most was being a mother; loving and supporting her children endlessly. She especially enjoyed going to the movies with her Magpie and to concerts with Troy (production engineer), in particular when they saw Bon Jovi perform in New Jersey. She could often be found laughing in the kitchen while she made meals to enjoy with her family—‘taco night’ and ‘elegant chicken’ being all time favorites.

Tucker enjoyed gardening, horseback riding, the beach, bridge, bridge on the beach, playing and officiating tennis, holiday decorations and making bows. She was a charismatic, empathetic, funny, passionate and devoted wife, mother, bridge partner, tennis partner, tennis official and friend who touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed.

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