Polly T. Tucker

Polly Trethewey Tucker, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. She was 81 years old.

While attending college, Polly met the love of her life, James Tucker. The two married in July 1967 and shared nearly six decades of love, partnership, and devotion. Polly's greatest pride and joy was her family. She treasured every moment spent with her family and delighted in watching her grandchildren grow and pursue their dreams.

Polly began her teaching career in 1967 as a first-grade teacher in Tallmadge, Ohio. Shortly thereafter, she and Jim moved to Kentucky, where she taught Head Start and fourth grade in Rineyville, while Jim was in the Army. In 1971, the family returned to Ohio and settled in Kent to raise their children.

As an educator, Polly believed in STEM education before it was a buzzword, and had her students designing experiments, building model rockets, and designing egg-drop vehicles. In 1989, Polly was awarded Elementary Science Teacher of the Year for the State of Ohio. She started the Invention Convention with her fourth-grade students at Newberry Elementary, and the program still lives on today!

After 45 years of teaching, Polly retired in 2005 but did not stop teaching or learning. She became a Master Gardner, so she could help others create beauty in their own spaces. She and Jim loved to travel and learn about the unique characteristics of each place they visited. Two of their favorite destinations were Ireland and Topsail Island, North Carolina.

As a teacher of science, Polly would tell you that energy cannot be created nor destroyed; it just transforms. She transferred her energy into her classroom and into her family every day. Her legacy lives on through the family she loved, the students she inspired, and the countless lives she touched throughout her journey. Polly will be deeply missed and forever remembered with love.

She was preceded in death by her parents William Charles Trethewey and Kathryn Thompson Clark Trethewey. Polly is survived by her husband James; children Adam (Tammy) and Kara (Eric); grandchildren, Alex, Ryan, Andrew and William and siblings Penny (Jaffe), Beth (Bill), and William.

Visitation will be held at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240 on Saturday, October 31, 2026 from 2:00 – 4:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Cleveland Clinic Hospice at www.give.ccf.org or to support local science education, the Jon Secaur Future Science Teacher Scholarship at https://flashes.givetokent.org/JonSecaur.

Services in the care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.