Helen Louise Crosbie

Helen Louise Crosbie, 91, of Delaware, OH, passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 11:11 am with her three children, who love her fiercely, beside her. Determined, astute, vibrant, funny, humble, faith-filled, and giving, Helen spent her entire life thoughtfully and generously caring for others. Friendship and laughter were among her life's other hallmarks.
Helen was born October 8, 1932, the second of six children, to Francis Walter ("Frank") Bringardner and Estella ("Stella Ella Mae") Bringardner (nee Middaugh) in Junction City, OH.
Helen graduated as the salutatorian of Junction City High School's Class of 1950. With a full scholarship of $150 to Good Samaritan School of Nursing, three years later she became a Registered Nurse and embarked on a nursing career that spanned 55 years and impacted hundreds of people. During these more than five decades, she worked for St. Ann's and Mt. Carmel Hospitals in Columbus. She spent the majority of her career with Delaware's Grady Memorial Hospital and finally retired from a private urology practice in Texas in 2008.
She married Robert Eugene ("Jake") Crosbie on September 24, 1955. Together, Jake and Helen raised three children: son Martin Robert ("Marty") (Kathy) Crosbie of Delaware; daughter Terese Louise (Doug Lawson) Crosbie of Delaware; and daughter Carrie Francis Crosbie of North Richland Hills, TX. Jake and Helen appeared to be an unlikely pair, he a large Navy man with a gruff voice and manner and she a small-framed professionally driven woman with opinions. But they fit together wonderfully.
As a nurse, mother, grandmother, sibling, daughter, aunt, and friend, Helen's small hands worked tirelessly, healing those she touched in different and truly meaningful ways. A talented seamstress, knitter, crocheter, and calligrapher she used those same little, busy, and strong hands to transform her love into hundreds of items that would bring joy and comfort to their recipients. Throughout her life, and especially during her retirement, Helen spent innumerable hours making clothes, kitchen towels, cozies, Afghans, scarves, hats, mittens, and countless other pieces. Most of her creations were donated or used to raise funds to support children, people with disabilities, and people experiencing end of life care through her volunteerism for which she earned The President's Volunteer Service Award. She shared her time and talent locally with Grady Memorial Hospital and Source Point Senior Center, and in Texas with Heartland Hospice, among others. Her family and friends absolutely loved receiving, and will forever cherish, Helen's handmade gifts that are full of her love. They will also cherish fond memories of Helen's unmistakable laugh, mischievous smile, and unshakable support.
Helen is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Marty and Kathy Crosbie; daughter and son-in-law, Terese Crosbie and Doug Lawson; daughter Carrie Crosbie; her grandchildren, Carie Beth (Jerome Gordon) Crosbie and Martin ("Little Marty") Crosbie II of Delaware; Katherine ("Katie") Zvomuya of Lakewood, OH; Stephanie (Jeffrey) Bunsey of Bay Village, OH; Leslle (Steve) Adams of Ashley, OH; Kimberly Kaylynn Hall of Norfolk, VA; Preston Lee Hall of Columbus, OH; nine great grandchildren; sister Jeannie (Art) Abram of Somerset; sister Donna Tarpy of Westerville, OH; brother Earl ("Jim") (Betty) Bringardner of Volusia, FL; and numerous extended family and friends. Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Stella Bringardner; husband of nearly 44 years, Jake Crosbie; sister Vivian Roby; and brother Walter Bringardner.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 24, 2024 from 3-7 pm at Snyder- Rodman Funeral Center, 101 Valleyside Drive, Delaware, Ohio 43015, with Rosary at 4 pm officiated by Father William Ferguson. Her funeral will be held Tuesday, June 25, with viewing from noon to 1 pm and mass at 1 pm at St. Jospeh Catholic Church in Somerset, OH with Father Andre'-Jospeh Lacasse, O.P., officiating. Burial will follow immediately at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions in Helen's honor may be directed towards St. Jude's Children Hospital St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=wtg-lz-donatenow&frequency_selected=0
Memories and Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
The Snyder-Rodman Funeral Center in Delaware is assisting the family with arrangements.