Helen Tebbs Schwartz

Aug. 6, 1935 - Jan. 19, 2016

Helen Tebbs (Croft) Schwartz of Scottsdale Ariz., born on Aug. 6, 1935, died of natural causes on Jan. 19, 2016, after a struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.Helen was born at home on the family sheep ranch near Cowley to Jesse Meeks Tebbs and Harriett (Hattie) Merrill Tebbs.She was delivered by her future grandfather-in-law Edward W. Croft, M.D. She came into this world large at 12 pounds and she lived life large until the end. She was known in life by the things she loved. She loved her husband, her home, her church and music. Most importantly, she loved her family.Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 31 years, John P. Schwartz, D.O., who died on Nov. 23, 2015. Their love was timeless. It was said they completed each other. They enjoyed nothing more in life than to be together. After a brief separation in life, they are together once more, never to be separated again.[caption id="attachment_10943" align="alignright" width="240"] Helen Tebbs Schwartz[/caption]Helen made her home a place of beauty and peace. All who visited felt that spirit.She studied piano as a child and taught herself how to play the organ and accordion. She was devoted to her church. She was the music coordinator in her LDS ward and played the organ for Sunday services for decades. Her gift of music touched thousands of people over the years. In her youth, she also played the saxophone in the school band.Helen married Richard J. Croft on June 26, 1953, and was the mother of five children from that marriage: Kevin (Paige) T. Croft, Corey Croft (Brad) Walker, Scott T. (Lisa) Croft, Eric T. (Brittany) Croft and Daren T. Croft.  Helen strove to instill the values of family, church, love of music and hard work, which she learned on the ranch as she raised her children.Helen was married to John P. Schwartz on Jan. 2, 1984, and became stepmother to Kathy Schwartz (Michael) Clark, John Michael Schwartz and Sue Schwartz (Ed) Bloomfield. All of her children survive her. She and John were proud of their combined 28 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.Helen is survived by her three sisters: Marian Tebbs Nelson of Las Vegas, Sidney Tebbs (Pat) Whalen of St. George and Drue Tebbs Meek of Cowley.She was preceded in death by her father and mother and her brothers, Jesse Merrill Tebbs and Thomas Merrill Tebbs.  She always had a tender spot in her heart for her stillborn son, Richard Tebbs Croft.The family wishes to thank all those who tenderly cared for Helen in her last days.