Obituary of Helen Luscher Posten

Helen Louise Posten, nee Luscher, 92, passed away peacefully in her home on April 21, 2017 with her family by her side. Born in The Bronx, Helen resided there until her marriage and then lived in Radburn, NJ; Marblehead, MA; and Rochester, NY before settling in Glen Rock, NJ in the early 60's to raise her family. Helen graduated from Hunter College in New York, after which she embarked on a teaching career that would span 55+ years. She first taught high school in Harlem, NY and then focused on early childhood education. She worked at private nursery schools for several years before ultimately retiring from Paterson’s Our Lady of Lourdes when she was well into her 70’s. Throughout this long career, Helen shared her joy and passion with all of her beloved students. Helen spent years with the College Club of Fair Lawn, where she also served as President for several terms. Her involvement in the Book Club of Fair Lawn and Glen Rock highlighted her lifelong joy of reading that never grew old. Helen will best be remembered for her love of family and friends and zest for life. Her sass and warm spirit, mixed with copious amounts of caffeine, brightened the homes of many over her lifetime. She opened her home to others without reserve and she will be missed dearly by her friends and family. Helen is survived by her two sons/daughters-in-law: Robert & Barbara Posten and Stephen & Maryann Posten; her daughter Louise Posten Johnston; daughter/son-in-law Laura Posten & Bill Bridgen; maternal cousins John Luscher, Joan Gostel Leser and John Gostel; grandchildren: Diana Posten, Robert Nylund, Kathryn Johnston, Scarlett Bridgen, Beau Bridgen, Max Bridgen. She is predeceased by her grandson Nicholas Posten. Her devout Catholic faith has helped and guided Helen throughout the years, in particular her patron Saint Jude. Contributions in Helen’s memory may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 (gift fund: Helen Luscher Posten/ www.stjude.org/donate and click on Ways to Give/Memorials & Dedications/Personal Tribute Pages) or to the Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Suite 745, Boston, MA 02215 (Online at www.joslin.or/giving/memorial_gifts.html and click on Online Giving). Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, (vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ on Tuesday April 25, 2017. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 1 Passaic St., Ridgewood, NJ. Burial will be private.