Betty Tucker Hendrickson
Betty Tucker Hendrickson of Newtown Square died peacefully on February 17. She was 94.
Betty was born in New York City to Rev. William LeGrand Tucker and Mary Bullington Tucker. She lived in Jersey City and then moved to Newark, New Jersey, for 11 years. In 1940, her father became pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Princeton, New Jersey, where she attended Princeton High School.
Betty attended Randolph Macon Women’s College in Virginia and obtained her bachelor’s degree in economics. Her interest in economics led her to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a master’s degree. Her passion for and knowledge of economics lasted her whole life, and she offered clear, well-thought-out opinions about everything from the Federal Reserve Chairman to investment strategies.
In 1947, she married John Hamill Hendrickson, a divinity student who was preparing for the Presbyterian ministry at Union Theological Seminary in New York. John’s first church, and their first home, was in Manchester, New Hampshire. He later served as pastor at churches in Westhampton Beach and Levittown, New York. Between 1949 and 1960, Betty had four children.
The family moved to New York City in 1965, when John took a job at Union Theological Seminary. Betty then began her own career. She received a second master’s degree in Library Science from Columbia University and started work as a children’s librarian at P.S. 180. She could always be counted on to choose the perfect book for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
After 15 years in New York City, they moved to Peoria, Illinois, where she became librarian at Bradley University. There she demonstrated her strong leadership and management skills, serving as acting director before she retired in 1988.
Betty and John often visited their beloved cottage in St. Albans Bay, Vermont, where they hosted family and friends for more than 50 years. She loved living on the water and watching the sun rise over the lake.
They retired to Morganwood in Swarthmore, to be near family, in 1992. The couple became active members of Swarthmore Presbyterian Church and enjoyed a rich retirement of travel, reading, and volunteering.
John died in 2000 and, in 2002, Betty moved to White Horse Village, where she resided for the past 18 years. She worked in the library, played bridge, and made many dear friends.
Betty formed deep and lasting friendships in all the many places she lived. She recently remarked that, in turning 94, she had outlived many of her friends. She will be remembered for her intelligence, curiosity, graciousness, and disarming humor. She was well read, comfortable joining any discussion, and always interested in the people she met and their ideas.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, John (d. 2000), and son, Peter Hendrickson (d. 1996). She is survived by her children, Mary Virtue (David) of Philadelphia, Robert Hendrickson of Portland, Oregon, and Nancy Hendrickson of Oakland, California; grandchildren, Kimberly Halsey (Mark), William Pillsbury (Laura), Jasper Arasteh, Sarah Polly (Steve); and great-grandchildren, Tory Halsey, Liam Halsey, Elizabeth Pillsbury, Iris Polly, and Evelyn Polly. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 21, 10:30 a.m., at Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, 727 Harvard Avenue, Swarthmore. A reception will follow at White Horse Village, 535 Gradyville Road, Newtown Square.
Memorial donations may be made to the Chester Children’s Chorus, Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore, PA 19081. Arrangements: Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home, 15 E. Fourth St. Media, PA 19063.
