Marcella Dean Tucker Gattuso (nee Benson), 88, passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Aventura at the Bay in Saint Petersburg, Florida.

She was born on October 9, 1935 in rural Robertson County, Kentucky, the daughter of Adam Thomas Benson and Lettie Marie Ogden. She was the youngest of five sisters, and had two younger twin brothers, Nevin Faye and Melvin. She grew up in northern Kentucky, then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where she attended Woodward High School her freshman year. Later in life, she obtained her GED in Anchorage, Alaska.

She married Jakie Delmar Tucker in 1953 in Hamilton, Ohio and they had two daughters, Teresa Lynn and Debra Sue. Jakie enlisted in the US Air Force and they lived in Ohio, Kentucky, Louisiana, California, and Alaska, before settling in Chandler, Arizona in 1963. They divorced in 1970 and Marcella was briefly married to John Joseph Gattuso in 1985. She moved to Saint Petersburg, Florida in 1989 to be near her sister Helen and worked for many years in housewares at the iconic Burdine's Department Store. In her own words, she was "outspoken" and was not shy about sharing her opinions. She always had a soft spot for animals (a trait shared by her sisters Hazel and Helen as well as her daughters) and the Tucker household included many beloved dogs and cats of various distinctions over the years. When she moved to Florida, her rescue cats Gus, Simba, and Marmie were treasured companions. When a serious fall required a move to Magnolia Gardens ALF six years ago, she kept a supply of peanuts on hand for the squirrels and ducks that visited there. She developed many friends and acquaintances at Magnolia and was a regular at Bingo and cards, an avid walker, and devoted "Jeopardy" fan.

Preceding her in death are her parents and sisters Dorothy Mae Benson, Gladys Marie Benson, and Hazel Jean Benson. Survivors include her daughters Teresa Lynn Pinter (husband Paul) and Debra Sue Marsin, both of Phoenix, Arizona; her sister, Helen Frances Shriver and nephew Stewart Shriver (wife Julie and children Sam and Scott, of Saint Petersburg, Florida), and niece Amber Smith (daughter Mara) of Boston, MA.

At her request, no service will be held and her cremains will be scattered in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. Arrangements are being made in Florida by Beacon Direct Cremation. Anyone wishing to donate in her name may do so with SPCA Tampa Bay.