Helen Marie Crum

Helen Marie Crum entered into Eternal Life on Monday, August 24, 2015 in Riverside, California.

Helen was the only child born on April 12, 1920 to Harry and Martha Powers of Decatur, Illinois. She was an honors student throughout her school years and was Valedictorian of her class at Stephen Decatur High School. She was awarded a scholarship to Milliken University in Decatur, Illinois.

She married her high school sweetheart, James Leroy Crum, a career Air Force man for over 26 years, on December 24, 1943 in Colorado Springs, Co. and was left a widow on February 22, 1979.

Helen was a career person whose career spanned 41 years. Although for many years she was never able to divulge details of one of her first work experiences, a few years ago she finally revealed that she had worked for the Manhattan Project in the early 1940’s in Decatur, Illinois, working for one of a number of entities located throughout the United States doing mathematical calculations for the Project .

After she married, she worked as secretary and payroll clerk for a Captain at the Peterson Air Force Base Exchange from 1943 to 1946. From 1946 to 1950 she was employed for Montgomery Ward in Decatur, Illinois as Inventory Control Manager. In 1950 when her husband was stationed at March Air Force Base in Riverside, Ca. she was transferred to Montgomery Ward in Riverside as Inventory Control Manager and served as instructor for like positions in the surrounding areas.

She resigned this position in 1959 to take a position with the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools where she served for 23 years as the head of the Certificated Retirement Department, retiring on April 12, 1982.

Helen might have retired from paid employment but certainly did not cease working. Her next 30 years kept her busier than ever before and were squeezed full of many volunteer assignments, offices held, official trips and classes.

One of her first volunteer assignments was for the Auxiliary for the Riverside Community Hospital where she worked with the Infection Control nurse. She also was a Red Cross Volunteer at March AFB..

On April 26, 1984, she had a double bypass which prompted a change of life style for her. For the rest of her life she was resolute in never again eating red meats and fats or smoking. This also prompted her to start exercise and seeing a need for exercise for all seniors became a volunteer exercise instructor for the Janet Groeske Senior Citizen’s Center on September 1984, continuing this role until well into her 90’s. She was especially proud of the day in October 1984 when she found Nancy Reagan in her class.

Helen was also part of the Goeske Dance group, performing at various centers. For many years she also auditioned bands and coordinated the Janet Goeske Senior Center’s Thursday night ballroom dinner dances.

Helen was also busy as a legislative advocate for senior citizens. She was on the Senior Advisory Committee for Congressman George E. Brown and was sent to Washington, D.C. by the Office on Aging to attend the “Close Up foundation” which sponsors people to observe and study Government behind the scenes.

Helen was one of the founding members of the Partnership to Preserve Independent Living for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities (now Independent Living Partnership) which is a special self-directed mileage reimbursement transportation program which helps qualified individuals get to doctors, get groceries and continue to live independently.

In 1992 Helen received the “Volunteer of the Year” Award from the Kiwanis Club in recognition of many years of Volunteer Service to Senior Citizens. She has also received Senior Volunteer Awards from the Mayor’s Office.

Helen has also served as Vice President of the Military Retirees, life member of Military Widows, Honorary member of the Retired Teachers Association, Board Member for the Senior Disabled Citizens Coalition, Senor Advisory Volunteer for Congressman Brown, Jr., Commissioner for the Mayor and City Council Boards.

In her spare time, Helen was an avid square dancer and served as CCHA Representative for Raincross Square Dancing Club and director for Roar n’Twirlers, Rocking M’s and Freedom Swingers Square Dancing clubs as well as an active board member of the Cow Counties Hoedown Association. She served as chairperson for many State Square Dancing conventions.

Helen was truly a high energy lady who found volunteer work very rewarding and in her own words said that she “dislikes saying ‘no’ whenever there is a need in the community.”