Helen Tebbs Schwartz

Helen Tebbs (Croft) Schwartz of Scottsdale Arizona, was born on August 6, 1935. She passed away of natural causes, after a struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, on January 19, 2016. Helen was born at home on her beloved family sheep ranch in the Bighorn Basin near Cowley, Wyoming. She was delivered by her future grandfather-in-law Dr. Edward W. Croft, M.D. She came into this world large at 12 pounds, and she lived life large until the end. She was known in life by the things she loved. She loved her husband, her home, her church and music. Most importantly, she loved her family.

Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 31 years, Dr. John P. Schwartz, D.O., who passed away on November 23, 2015. Their love was timeless. It was said they completed each other. They enjoyed nothing more in life than to be together. After a brief separation in life, they are together once more, never to be separated again.

Helen made her home a place of beauty and peace. All who visited felt that spirit.

Helen studied piano as a child and taught herself how to play the organ and accordion. She was devoted to her church. She was the music coordinator in her LDS ward and played the organ for Sunday services for decades. Her gift of music touched thousands of people over the years. In her youth, she also played the saxophone in the school band.

Helen married Richard J. Croft on June 26,1953 and was the mother of five children from that marriage: Kevin T. Croft (Paige), Corey Croft Walker (Brad), Scott T. Croft (Lisa), Eric T. Croft (Brittany), and Daren T. Croft. Helen strove to instill the values of family, church, love of music, and hard work, which she learned on the ranch, as she raised her children. Helen was married to John P. Schwartz on January 2, 1984 and Helen became stepmother to Kathy Schwartz Clark (Michael), John Michael Schwartz and Sue Schwartz Bloomfield (Ed). All her children survive her. She and John were proud of their combined 28 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.

Helen is survived by her three sisters: Marian Tebbs Nelson of Las Vegas, Nevada; Sidney Tebbs Whalen (Pat) of St. George, Utah; and Drue Tebbs Meek of Cowley, Wyoming. She was preceded in death by her father, Jesse Meeks Tebbs; her mother, Harriet Merrill Tebbs; and her brothers, Jesse Merrill Tebbs and Thomas Merrill Tebbs. She always had a tender spot in her heart for her stillborn son Richard Tebbs Croft.

The Family wishes to thank all those who tenderly cared for Helen in her last days.

A visitation will be held on February 5, 2016 from 5-7 pm at Green Acres Mortuary, 401 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, AZ. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm on February 6, 2016 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6840 E. Gold Dust Ave., Paradise Valley, AZ with a Family Prayer beginning at 11:30 am. Please share your memories on our online guestbook at www.greenacresmortuary.net.