Obituary of Helen (Orben) Croke

Helen (Orben) Croke PEABODY—Helen (Orben) Croke, 101, beloved wife of the late William J. Croke, died peacefully in her sleep on Friday evening November 23, 2012 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, with the comforting presence of her faithful family by her side. Born in North Reading, she was the daughter of the late William H. & Olive (Richardson) Orben. She was orphaned early in life, and grew up in Sutton where she attended schools. Mrs. Croke had a special gift for nurturing people, and always dreamed of becoming a nurse. She enjoyed taking care of people and was devoted to her husband with his medical conditions later in life. She was working as a Housekeeper at the New England Sanitarium in Middleton where she met her husband. She also worked at The Champion Drug Store and GTE Sylvania for years. Helen enjoyed gardening, and spending time with family. She was a very devoted member of the St. John the Baptist Church in Peabody. She is survived by her daughters, Marie Susan Croke of Peabody and Margaret & her husband Albert LeVasseur of Danvers, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by four brothers and a sister, Raymond Orben, Richard Orben, Oliver Orben, Frederick Orben, and Sarah Rinaldi. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4 – 8 P.M. in the Conway,Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are invited to gather on Wednesday November 28, 2012 at 10 AM from the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 11 A.M. in St. John the Baptist Church, Peabody. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Memorial donations may be made to either the Kaplan Family Hospice House c/o Hospice of the North Shore & Greater Boston, 75 Sylvan St. Sute B-102, Danvers, MA 01923 or to Mass General Hospital, Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114.