Helen Deborah Crosby

Helen Deborah Crosby, age 75, of Merritt Island Florida passed away peacefully on August 20, 2026. Unexpected health issues and a new diagnosis of right lung cancer complicated her recovery after hip surgery.

Born on September 23, 1950, Helen was raised by her beloved parents, Louie and Helen Kranert in New York and then later moved to Bogota, New Jersey. She was known as Debbie to her family. This often got her in trouble for not answering when her name was called in school. One of her proudest achievements was earning her Associate of Arts degree. She graduated with the highest honors in criminal justice, eventually becoming a paralegal—a testament to her perseverance and dedication.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Heather Sarno and her husband Brian; her granddaughter Amber Williams and her husband Ben; her grandson Patrick Sarno and his wife Mikayla; and her great-granddaughter, Annastasia Sarno. She also leaves behind her loving sisters, Carole Henix and Roxanne Davis, along with extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Helen's life was enriched by her partner of over 35 years, Ken Budden. Together, they embarked on countless adventures across the country in their RV. Ken's career at NASA afforded Helen the unique opportunity to meet astronauts and immerse herself in the wonders of the Space Coast, where she delighted in watching shuttle launches and collecting patches from Hubble Missions. Helen spent many wonderful years residing on the Space Coast, where she loved the unique beauty of Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach area. She was especially fond of sea turtles and manatees and even witnessed the elusive Florida Panther.

Helen's friends and family remember her as a woman who beat to her own drum and tackled life's challenges on her own terms. She was a cancer survivor for over 20 years! She was generous and took immense pride in her family's accomplishments and happiness. Helen’s legacy of independence, strength, and generosity lives on through them.

In accordance with Helen's explicit wishes, a direct cremation will take place, and no formal public memorial services will be held. Her family will gather privately at a later date to celebrate her beautiful life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Helen's memory to Brevard Zoo (Wildlife Rescue Fund).