died at the age of 103.

Ora Cordelia Larisa Tucker, of Sousa Estate, Devonshire, passed away on Wednesday leaving behind 25 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren and 32 great-great-grandchildren.

Included amongst her grandchildren is top lawyer and former United Bermuda Party Senator Lynda Milligan-Whyte who last night fondly described Mrs.

Tucker.

"She basically was the matriarch of the family,'' Mrs. Milligan-Whyte said.

"She was a strong, independent, hard working woman. She worked most of her life and did not retire until she was in her 80s.'' Mrs. Tucker was born near Devil's Hole on Harrington Sound to Rachel Smith and stone cutter Jonathan Jessie Smith who had another 15 children.

She attended Flatts Hill School and married Ormond Tucker in a small chapel on the edge of Tucker's Town at the age of 18. He died about 30 years ago in an accident and Mrs. Tucker never remarried while continuing to work as a housekeeper.

Throughout her life Mrs. Tucker was an active member of Cobb's Hill Methodist Church and was also well known for her sense of humour.