Helene Crawford Reeder

Helene C. Reeder passed away on September 1, 2023 in Sarasota, Florida. She is survived by her four children Robin Luther (John), Holly Campbell (Charles), Alan Reeder (Madeline Soglin) and Amy Reeder (Samuel Shiffman). Grandchildren, Karyn Luther, Max, Milo and Theo Shiffman, and Jack and Jonas Reeder. She also leaves behind her beloved nephews, their spouses and children.

Helene was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Earl Reeder, her sister Irene McGarry, and her parents James and Maybelle Crawford.

Helene was born and raised in Kearny, NJ, and was proud of her Scottish-Kearny roots. She graduated from Kearny High School in 1945. Helene worked as a mechanical drafter at International Telephone and Telegraph Co. while attending night classes at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

She met her husband, Earl at a local ski club. Married in 1955, they settled in Nutley, NJ, and began raising a family. A forty-six year resident of Nutley, Helene was committed to her community; she served on the Nutley Zoning Board for ten years, was a long-time member of the Nutley League of Women Voters, and frequently volunteered as a poll-worker during local and national elections.

She was a strong believer in peace and social justice and donated her time to numerous charitable organizations including the StarFish Foundation at Children’s Hospital in Newark and nine years with the Essex County Fresh Air Fund.

Helene was a long standing member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Montclair and Sarasota, embracing the core values of intellectual and religious freedom and the inherent worth and dignity of every human being.

Helene led a full life with important friendships and activities. She enjoyed tennis, swimming, and traveling. She was an avid reader and movie/theatre enthusiast.

Donations in her memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders.

https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org

For online tributes, please visit www.rtsfunerals.com or www.wiegandbrothers.com