Obituary of Jessie Clair Thompson Crooks

Jessie Clair Thompson Crooks was born in Paterson, NJ, on January 30, 1929, daughter of Nettie Mae (Coulthurst) Thompson and Aaron Thompson. Her parents divorced when she was very young, and she was lovingly raised and doted on by her mother, her maternal grandparents, Fred and Julia Coulthurst, and her maternal aunt and uncle, Jessie (Coulthurst) and Louis “Luch” Frazza. Mrs. Crooks spent her early years in the Totowa section of Paterson, attending Paterson schools and worshipping at the Paterson Avenue United Methodist Church, where her family had been longtime members. After graduating from Paterson’s Central High School in 1946, Jessie began work as a legal secretary for Paterson attorney Vincent Duffy. While attending a dance at the Paterson YMCA, Jessie met the love of her life, George A. Crooks, Jr., who was a Hawthorne resident. They dated for several years before becoming engaged, and were married on May 24, 1952. They started married life in an apartment on Mohawk Avenue in Hawthorne, but soon purchased a home on 10th Avenue in Hawthorne. Jessie continued to work after her marriage, but retired when she and George were ready to start their family. Daughter Julie Clair was born in June of 1957, and son David Michael was born in May of 1961. In 1962, the family, including Jessie’s mother, Nettie, moved to 747 Mountain Avenue, Wyckoff, where they would live for the next 51 years. “Crooks Corner”, as the home was nicknamed, was a warm, happy and welcoming home… a direct reflection of Jessie and George’s personalities. While her children were young, Jessie was a traditional stay-at-home mom and dedicated volunteer. She was active in the Girl Scouts, starting as a Brownie leader, and eventually serving for many years on the Lenni Lenape Council. She was a lifelong servant of Christ through her many activities at Paterson Avenue United Methodist Church, where she was a Sunday School teacher and active member of the United Methodist Women, co-chairing the church’s annual Bazaar for many years. Jessie had a beautiful soprano singing voice, and was a lifelong member of the choir. When her children grew up, Jessie decided to go back to work, and began a 24-year career at the Ridgewood YWCA. She worked for several years as a secretary for the After School Program, and eventually moved to the Trips Department, where she was the Trips Director for many years. Her incredible organizational skills and attention to detail, as well as her warm and gracious personality and love of travel, made her the ideal person for this job. She absolutely loved planning and going on day trips and longer vacations with her “trippers”. Jessie and George also enjoyed traveling on their own or with dear friends such as Dot and Bill Parkin, Ann and Jack Holderman, Ginny and Tom Cannito, and Charlotte and Ed Flormann. They traveled all over North America and Europe, with particular favorites being Ireland, England, Bermuda, and especially Kennebunkport, Maine. Jessie’s retirement in 1999 did not end her relationship with the YWCA. She continued to volunteer there, and was honored to receive the Volunteer of the Year award in 2003. Throughout her retirement, Jessie was also passionate about volunteering at the food pantry at her church, spending every Saturday morning there for many years. She truly had a heart for service. In May of 2013, due to health concerns, Jessie and George reluctantly made the difficult decision to move closer to their daughter Julie. They moved into a vibrant senior living community in Alpharetta, Georgia. Although she made many new friends, there are no friends like old friends, and Jessie continued to miss New Jersey terribly. Over the next several years, her health continued to decline, and Jessie finally died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on January 31, 2016, the day after her 87th birthday. Jessie is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, George A. Crooks of Alpharetta, GA (formerly of Wyckoff), cherished daughter and son-in-law Julie and John Hellman of Marietta, GA, adored son and daughter-in-law David and Mary Crooks of North Caldwell, NJ, and 5 treasured grandchildren, Sean Hellman of Marietta, GA, , Lauren Crooks of New York City, Kevin Hellman of Orlando, FL, and Amanda and Jillian Crooks of North Caldwell, NJ. A Graveside Interment Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at the Wyckoff Reformed Church Cemetery, 294 Everett Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481. Arrangements have been made through Vander Plaat Funeral Home in Wyckoff. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, or the contributor’s charity of choice.