MRS. EDWARD TUCK

The news of the death of Julia Stell Tuck, wife of Edward Tuck '62, on November 11 at Reuil, near Paris, brought sorrow to her many friends in America. To the host of Dartmouth men who have had the privilege of being entertained by her at the magnificent residence on the Champs Elysees or at the beautiful summer home, Vert Mont, her death brings a loss that can never be replaced.

And to that larger group who knew Mrs. Tuck only as the sympathetic and helpful partner of her husband in the long list of philanthropic works which made possible the growth and development of Dartmouth during the last quarter century, comes the realization that by her death the College has lost one of its greatest admirers and most devoted friends.

Mrs. Tuck, although born in Baltimore and the daughter of an American citizen, spent most of her life in France. Her father, William Shorter Stell, born in Philadelphia in 1800, lived during his active years in Manchester, England, where he became -a prominent and successful merchant. After his death in 1863, his daughter made her home with the Richards family until her marriage to Mr. Tuck in 1872, growing up with the daughter Elsie Richards, now the wife of Ambassador Jusserand.

Throughout their married life Mr. and Mrs. Tuck have been of one purpose, so much so that it is impossible to attempt an appraisal of the life and good deeds of one without considering the other. The French people, to whom Mr. and Mrs. Tuck were always the outstanding examples of the best that America has to offer in culture, character and generosity, were quick to recognize this oneness and when conferring upon Mr. Tuck the Rank of "Grand Officier" in the Legion d'Honneur, they also granted to Mrs. Tuck the title "Officier," the highest award to which a woman is eligible. The French Academy, in like manner, honored not only Mr. Tuck but his wife with the Prix de Vertu, a prize never before given to anyone but a French citizen.

A writer has commented on the partnership in the following words "At their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tuck seem to have consecrated themselves to a life of good deeds. With her husband's name Mrs. Tuck apparently adopted his interests and philanthropies, and made his family and friends fully and finally hers... .In a rare fashion and through more than half a century they seem to have lived a life of common purpose."

All Dartmouth men know of and appreciate the magnificent gifts which have come to the College from the Tucks; the "Amos Tuck School of Administration and Finance," established in 1900 and first of its kind; Tuck Drive, beautiful approach to the town from the Connecticut River; the President's House, erected in 1926; and perhaps more important than all, though not so well known, the many generous gifts of endowment and general funds which, coming at timely moments, have kept the College alive in her time of greatest need.

Mrs. Tuck's life was taken up completely with the charities which she organized and supported in France. There is the Stell Hospital at Reuil, a free and completely equipped unit which has been taking care of the poor in that locality for twenty-five years and which is endowed to go on forever; another is the "Oeuvre St. Hubert," a home for working girls in Paris; another, the Ecole Menagere, the Stell free school of domestic science. To all of these enterprises and to her work for the soldiers during the war she gave not only financial support but also her own wise counsel and personal effort, without thought of self. No one can begin to estimate the good to humanity which has resulted from such a life of devotion and service to others. Countless thousands both in this country and abroad, taking pride in and giving thanks for the beautiful life which Mrs. Tuck has led, now join together in mourning her death. And the sympathy of all Dartmouth men, wherever they may be, goes out to Mr. Tuck.

MR. AND MRS. EDWARD TUCK