Monday, January 8, 2024
State College – it is the “end of an era.” On Thursday, January 4, 2024, long-time State College resident and community volunteer Louise Tukey died after more than 70 years of contributing to the local community. Louise arrived in State College in 1951 and immediately began becoming part of the fiber of Centre County. She participated in the founding of the Women’s Resource Centre, Phone-A-Friend, Schlow Library, University Women’s Club, League of Women’s Voters, Centre County Historical Society (life member), and many more initiatives focused on bettering the lives of women and children in State College. Her most impactful contribution was as a founding member for AAUW’s annual Used Book Sale. Beginning with the 1st sale at the Wesley Foundation through its current day iteration, Louise volunteered countless hours to pricing and organizing books, working with book buyers and sellers, assisting with funds allocation for scholarships for returning adult women and local community betterment projects, and promoting the works of AAUW locally, throughout the state, and nationwide. Louise was tenacious, sometimes difficult, determined, and steadfast in her convictions. If you met Louise or worked with Louise, you would always remember the interaction. Yes, it is the end of an era for Louise’s active contributions, but her memory will live on for many years to come in the stories people tell about all the contributions she made to State College as a community.
Jackie R. Esposito
