In Memory - Helen B Croop

Helen B Croop, formerly of Harwinton, Conn., died on Aug. 2, 2020 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., her home since 1988.

Helen was born in 1922, in Torrington, Conn., to William and Victoria Zbuska (nee Mitnik). She was preceded in death by brother William (Bill) of Harwinton, Conn., in 1994 and sister Victoria Zbuska Yurgalewicz in 2015 (Walter), of Torrington, Conn.

Helen married Paul J. O’Reilly of Litchfield, Conn., deceased in 1978. Later in life, she married Harry W. Croop Jr. of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., deceased in 2014.

Surviving family members are niece Jean A. Yurgalewicz (Jackson, Wyo.) and nephews John J. Yurgalewicz (Judith), Attleboro, Mass., and Mark J. Young (Melissa), Littleton, Colo.; grandnephew and -niece are Robert Yurgalewicz (Mandy) and Laura Yurgalewicz Marlowe (Tim), both residing in Berea, Ohio. There are five great-grandnephews and -nieces.

Childhood years found Helen growing up in the Torrington, Conn., community. She was strongly influenced by her Slovak heritage at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Parish and School. Helen graduated from Torrington High School.

She earned a nursing degree from Saint Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Hartford, Conn. She worked as a registered nurse in the local area for many years.

Her marriage to Paul O’Reilly brought a love of Morgan horses. Paul and Helen owned Rose of Sharon Farm in Harwinton, Conn. They were active in the Connecticut and Regional chapters of the Morgan Horse Association.

Helen and Paul showed their horses, and Helen competed with her prize-winning horses and as a harness cart driver in New England horse shows.

In addition, Helen’s passions and interests were flower gardening, international travel, and raising several St. Bernards and French poodles.

In Harwinton, she was a communicant at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

Later in life, Helen married Harry Croop and moved to Saratoga Springs, N.Y. There, she was actively involved with the local arts community, Garden Society and Ladies Auxiliary Guild.

In the twilight of her life, Helen remained in her home until she died. This was possible due to the extraordinary caregiving of Donna Stevens, Jacky Notar and other caregivers.

Having no children of her own, Helen had a close relationship with her niece and nephews, especially Jean. Her nephew Mark handled her legal and financial affairs during the last years of her life.

Funeral arrangements are private. A final graveside burial service will be at St. Francis New Cemetery in Torrington, Conn., at a later date due to COVID-19.