Helene T Fitzpatrick

Helene (Grogan) Fitzpatrick, of Butler, formerly of Paterson, Clifton and Jersey City, died on Wednesday September 30, 2026, in Pequannock Township, New Jersey. Daughter of the late Margaret (Tobin) and George Grogan. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Alfred, in 1986, her brother, John Grogan in 1938, and her sister, Elizabeth (Grogan) Fournier, in 2023.

She retired from the Finance Dept. of Passaic County in 2002. Prior to this, she held various positions in the private sector. Starting with banking she went on to work in a wholesale liquor company, a meat packing company, baking companies and a real estate and development company, always in the bookkeeping departments. Her first job was a part time one at F.W. Woolworth (5&10 cent store) (they were today’s $1 stores) while in St. Aloysius High School, in Jersey City. Helene has continued to be in touch with her classmates of the Class of 1956 through her assisting on the 25 th and 50 th year reunions and their Annual Birthday get togethers.

Currently a member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Butler, she was a member of St. Brendan Parish in Clifton, until she joined Our Lady of Pompeii parish in Paterson closer to her residence. Following her retirement, Helene was active in volunteer work in the area. The first volunteer job she undertook was as a member of her Condominium board, to fill in for someone who had passed away. Soon after that, part of her work was membership in the Parish Council at St. Brendan Church and as a Vice President of the Rosary Society. Her activities in St. Brendan’s Parish, besides being a Eucharistic Minister, included working at Bingo on Friday nights, being part of the Collection Counting Team and many other volunteer jobs helping in the parish.

She met her Darling “Totowa 5” Victoria, Masha, Ashley, Michael and Marcus Povolo, originally through volunteer work, but now they and their parents Sylvia and Paul are a part of her family. Another of her volunteer positions was with AARP; she was Assistant Treasurer and then Treasurer with the Lakeview Chapter #1995 and was also one of their telephone “chains” to let people know pertinent information regarding sick and /or deceased members, and meeting cancellations and rescheduling. She also ran the Casino bus trips for quite a few years. After moving to Butler, she joined the Columbiettes through St. Anthony of Padua Church, and also joined the Butler Senior Group, the XYZ Club.

She is survived by her nephew George Fournier, Jr., his wife Elizabeth and their son Sean. Her other direct survivors on the Fitzpatrick side are Helen Pierson, Carolyn Apruzzese, and Donna and Mark Infante. There are also countless Grand Nieces and Nephews, and Great Grand Nieces and Nephews that survive Helene on the Fitzpatrick side of her family, that live throughout the East Coast from Vermont through Florida. Her maternal cousins are no longer in New Jersey, but reside in Florida, California and Nevada.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on Monday, October 5, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Morrison Etheridge Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, New Jersey. A Mass will held Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony RC Church, 65 Bartholdi Avenue, Butler, New Jersey. Burial will take place afterward at Calvary Cemetery, Paterson, NJ.