Dorothy M. Long

Dorothy M. Long, 101 years old, died Sunday, March 11, 2007 after a brief illness.  She resided at St. Anne’s Retirement Community, Columbia, PA for the past six years.         

Born in Shamokin, PA she was the daughter of the late Dr. Francis J. and Martha Meek.  She was the wife of Ethelbert B. Long who passed away in 1969.  She was preceded in death by three sisters Florence, Eleanor and Frances.

Mrs. Long was a homemaker and a former member of the St. Phillips The Apostle Church, Lancaster and a member of the Guys and Dolls activity group at the church.   She was a member of “The Towne Club”, St. John Neuman’s Senior Citizen and the Millersville Senior Citizen groups for many years.  She also served as a Gray Lady volunteer at the General Hospital in the 1950’s. 

Mrs. Long graduated Shamokin High School and from Berti Fashion Academy in Philadelphia where she studied fashion design. She worked in the fashion industry while employed at R.H. Macy & Co.  in New York City during the late 1920’s and early 1930’s.   In 1939 she joined Singer Sewing Machine Co, as a clothing designer and sewing instructor.  While with the company she worked at their Pottstville and Lancaster stores until 1940.  While at the Lancaster store she met her husband who at the time was the store manager.  After marrying she left the company to become a mother and housewife.

Surviving are two sons, George F. Long, husband of Nancy D. of Lancaster and Georgetown, SC and Bert G. Long, husband of Penny A. of Lewes, DE.   She leaves behind four grandchildren, Tammy Mace, Elizabethtown, PA, Heather Bedell, Bell Air, MD, Melissa Smith, Girard, OH, Christopher Troup, Eagan, MN, and seven great grandchildren.

Asked recently what she attributes her longevity to she replied “I take things as they come”. 

Mrs. Long was an inspiration to those who knew her because of her positive uplifting attitude.  She was a stylish dresser, loved doing crafts, was a great cook in her time and an excellent seamstress.  She loved her life at St. Anne’s and was an active participant in many activities at the home.  She never hesitated to tell people what a “wonderful place this is” and how fortunate she was to be at St. Anne’s.

A funeral mass and memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Tuesday, March 20 at  St. Anne’s Retirement Community Chapel.  Family and friends my call beginning at 10:30AM  prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dorothy’s memory to St. Anne’s Retirement Community, 3952 Columbia Ave, Columbia, PA  17512..  Arrangements by the Charles Snyder Funeral Home, Lancaster, PA.