Helen Joan Crouse

Helen J Crouse, (nee Dougar), age 92, passed away on August 1, 2025 very peacefully, at home in Newtown, PA, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She has been a long-time resident of both Boynton Beach, Florida, and Levittown, PA.

Helen was born in Brooklyn, NY, to her parents, Felix Dougar and Catherine Urich. Shortly after, the new family moved back to their roots in Dallas, PA, until Helen was 9 years old. Then the family moved to Philadelphia, PA where they resided for many years. She graduated from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girl’s High School, Philadelphia, PA in 1950. Helen went on to establish a successful career as a Professional Musician, performing on her accordion in an all-girls Trio, featuring her talent as “Helen and Her Accordion”. Her band played various venues and night clubs in the local tri-state area (PA, NJ, NY) for over 3 years. Helen met Jerry, fell in love and married. Helen switched careers to administrative work, and private music instructing, as well as a devoted loving Parent (Mom), who raised 5 children. Beyond her role as a Mom, Helen also pursued careers in retail music, real estate and as a full-time bus driver for Bristol Township Schools. She found this to be adventurous, and she was committed to the care and support for the diversity of students she met every day.

Some of Helen’s favorite activities were sewing, crocheting, baking and cooking various family traditional recipes of the Polish, Slovak and German ethnicities. One of the best memories she leaves us is when Helen, along with her brothers, Phil and Billy often entertained the families with their musical talent, playing and singing their favorite songs! Everyone sang along and danced. And her grandchildren lovingly remember various books, poems and songs that she shared. She continued to educate and encourage music all her life.

Helen, the Matriarch of our Family, will always be in our hearts and soul. She is known for her undying acceptance of all, warm compassion, beautiful smiles, and embracing hugs and kisses.

A devoted Mother, Grandmom, (Mom-Mom) and Great Grandmom (Mee-Maw). She has 5 children, 10 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. Helen's greatest joy came from nurturing her family. Her famous holiday, birthday and everyday celebrations brought together not just family, but friends and neighbors as well. Helen's homemade soup and ethnic delights were legendary, and she delighted in passing down her culinary secrets to her children and grandchildren. Home made soups, apple pies, nut roll, perogies, galumpkies, and other adventurous ethnic dishes will always be savored and remembered. Being together with family and friends was her happiest moments and cherished memories.

Helen now reunited with her loving husband of 56 years Gerald A. Crouse; her grandson Francis Glenn Crouse; her parents: Felix and Catherine Dougar (nee Urich); and her brothers Philip and William Dougar.

Helen is survived by her sons: Gerald D. Crouse, Glenn J. Crouse, and Raymond M. Crouse (Virginia); her daughters, Darlene M. Crouse-Mahaffey (Lewis) and Carolyn J. Nicolosi (Joseph); her grandchildren: Gerald D. Crouse Jr., Jennifer A. Crouse, Michael A. Crouse (Brittany), Nicole M. Brunner (Rod), Amanda Bowe (Francis), Raymond M. Crouse II (Chelsey), Joseph G. Nicolosi, Regina C. Mahaffey-St. Hilaire (Michael), Helene C. Nicolosi, (fiancé Anthony Bajor), and Leo C. Mahaffey; her great grandchildren: Breanna Devaney, Jacob Crouse, Connor Bowe, Brielle Brunner, Raymond M Crouse III, Ellie Crouse, Tyler Crouse, Jonathan Bowe, Mason Bowe, Damian Crouse, Gianna Brunner, and Kylie Crouse; her sister Marianne Traverse (nee Dougar); and her sister in law, Jane Reinhardt (nee Crouse).

A viewing for Helen will be held Friday, August 8, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Rd, Levittown, PA 19056. A secondary viewing take place on Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 8:30 AM to 9:20 AM at St. Frances Cabrini, 325 S. Oxford Valley Road, Fairless Hills, PA 19030, followed by her funeral mass at 9:30. She will be laid to rest at 11:00 AM at Resurrection Cemetery, 5201 Hulmeville Rd, Pennsylvania, PA 19020.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Helen’s name to the following non-profit organizations: The American Heart Association or Go Red for Women Campaign for Education on Women’s Heart Health.