HELEN L. THATCH (nee' Forrest) was born August 22, 1927, to Matilda L. (nee' Cherry) and Timothy Forrest in
Atlantic City, New Jersey. She departed this life on Monday, February 19, 2024.
Helen was a life-long resident of Atlantic City where she attended the local public schools as a child. Helen was employed by M. C. Shrank Manufacturing Company for several years. She later went to work at the Guarantee Bank where she was an Advance Loan Clerk. After twenty years of service, Helen retired from Guarantee Bank (which later became Fleet Bank and is now known as Bank of America).
Helen was one of the original dancers in the Louise Forrest Johnson School of Dance, her sister's dance company and school. She enjoyed making her own clothes; watching basketball games on television – especially the college teams. She also enjoyed traveling throughout the country, mainly to Las Vegas.
Helen was a friendly and very pleasant person. There was always a smile on her face and once you got to know her, you would never forget her. For many years she was an avid walker on the Uptown Complex track at 7AM daily with her sister, Jean. She appreciated Broadway musical shows and loved to visit New York City.
Helen married C. Thomas Thatch, and as a couple they travelled all over the country. Helen was a former member of St. James AME Church, and the Jefferies Tower Tenant Organization. She and Tommie belonged to the Club M.T.A., a couple's club where only the members knew the meaning of "MTA."
She leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory: nephews, Sterling Forrest (Sharon), Jaurvon Johnson (Norma Jeanne), Michael Johnson (Rosetta "Frankie"), Alfonso Brooks (Billie), Frank Forrest, Jr. (Laura), Tracey Brooks (Fay); her nieces, Sheila Brown-Branch (Ronald), Shawne Forrest, Pam Forrest, Josephine Miller and Deborah Miller; special friend, Brenda McCollough; special grand niece, Maria Brooks and a host of grand nieces, grand nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.
Helen is predeceased by: her parents, Matilda and Timothy Forrest; her husband, C. Thomas Thatch; her brothers, Arthur, Tim and Frank; her sisters, Louise, Theresa, Sarette, and Jean; and her nephews, Glenn Brooks and Anthony Brooks.
A celebration of Helen's life will be 11AM, Saturday, February 24, 2024, Greenidge Funeral Homes, 301 Absecon Boulevard,
Atlantic City, New Jersey where friends may call from 10AM. Interment to follow in Atlantic City Cemetery, Pleasantville, New Jersey.
Arrangements entrusted to Greenidge Funeral Homes, Atlantic City, where condolences and photos may be left at www.greenidgefuneralhomes.com.
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