Helen Croucher

Helen May (Tanis) Croucher of Wayne, NJ passed Thursday February 23^rd, 2023, just about one week past her 95^th birthday.

Helen was born in Paterson, NJ on February 14^th, 1928 to Lena Dyk and Andrew Tanis. She started her studies in the Prospect Park school system, and later graduated from Hawthorne High School, class of 1946. After graduation, she attended secretarial school and initially served as the administrative assistant to the music director of the NBC orchestra at Rockefeller Center in New York City.  Later she became the head administrative assistant to the principal of Lincoln School, and then Westmorland Elementary School in the Fairlawn public school system. She worked for Fair Lawn Public Schools for almost 40 years.  Her attention to detail was second to none, which extended into all aspects of her life.

Music was always important to Helen.  She was an accomplished pianist, learning to play at an early age.  She performed at multiple venues throughout her life, which included a recital at Carnegie Hall in New York City when she was in her teens.  She passed on her expertise by giving piano lessons to many youth in the area.  Later she learned to play the organ.  She served as the organist for Columbia Heights Community Church in Fair Lawn for a number of years until she and her family moved to Wayne, NJ in 1963.  Helen was also an accomplished singer.  She was a member of the “Melodiers” a pop vocal ensemble for many years.  In the 1970s, she joined the Stewart Smith Singers, a regional choral group.  Later she became a member of the Ridgewood Choral women’s ensemble.  She and her husband, Warren, were known to have classical music as the soundtrack to their life.

Helen met her husband, Warren March Croucher, at the age of 14 through friends. They married on October 2^nd, 1948 at First Baptist Church in Paterson. They enjoyed over 60 years of loving marriage until Warren’s passing in 2011. Together they raised two sons, Warren Douglas (Doug) Croucher and Drew Eugene Croucher, and later welcomed their daughter-in-laws, Kerrie Croucher and Karen Croucher, respectively, into their family. They adored their three grandchildren, Jeffrey, Jennifer, and Jamie.  Helen was fortunate to welcome five great-grandchildren into the world, Needham, Camille, Isla, Kiera, and most recently, Mia. She is also survived by her cousin, Sadie Meyer, with whom she maintained a close relationship throughout her life.