Grief After 18-Year-Old Hopatcong High School Senior Dies

HOPATCONG, NJ - A community is grieving after a Hopatcong High School student passed away this past week.

Born in Denville, Rylee Clare Crouch was a life-long Hopatcong resident who died in her home Friday, at the age of 18.

According to her obituary, Rylee was a Senior currently attending Hopatcong High School. She enjoyed camping and sitting around a campfire with her family and friends.

Friends wrote tributes and messages to Rylee's family on her obituary page:

"We can only offer you our deepest sympathy and cannot imagine your pain right now. Two of my kids knew Rylee. Lucas has known her since kindergarten and had a class with her this year, and my daughter Abby, knew her through Girl Scouts when her old troop worked with the younger kids years back.

"They both remember her so fondly and can remember hearing her name over the years. She will not be forgotten. Please know we are praying for you, for strength to get you through this awful time."

Rylee was predeceased by her paternal grandmother, Mary Ellen Crouch and maternal grandfather Raymond Bruder.

Survivors include her mother Lori Harrison, father Dan Crouch, stepfather Chris Harrison, stepmother Marianna Crouch, brother Devon Crouch, Maternal grandparents Margaret Bruder, Penny Middleton and Paul Harrison and his wife Wanda, Paternal grandparents Tom Crouch and his wife Connie and Sergio and Mercedes Artazu, step siblings Kristopher, Destinee, Michael and Dana. Also surviving are many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear friends, her obituary said.

Rylee's Life Celebration will be held privately, according to to her obituary. In lieu of flowers and for memorial donations the family is asking to consider SMILE of Hopatcong at www.smilefil.org. SMILE plans to establish community homes for individuals with developmental disabilities, in which the individuals are placed with their peers that are in the same range of abilities and age.

Arrangements are entrusted to Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home of Landing.

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