Obituaries

Verna E. Long, 81

Verna E. Long, 81, died Friday, October 21, 2011 at Heart of Lancaster Hospital. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Lloyd R. and Dora E. Bowman Emmert. Gerald V. Long, her beloved husband of 52 years, died in 2004.

She was a graduate of J. P. McCaskey High School. In addition to raising her children, she worked part-time as a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone and RCA. Verna was a member of St. James Catholic Church and a former member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir.

Verna had a long history of volunteerism, most recently at Matthew 25 Thrift Shop and at Lancashire Hall where she sang to the residents. She enjoyed counted cross stitch, scrapbooking, knitting and spending time with family and friends.

Surviving family members are her children, Linda L., wife of Robert C. Lowe II, Lititz, Richard P., husband of Angela R. Long, Winston-Salem, NC, Carol A. Long, MD, Asheville, NC, and Joan L., wife of Joseph M. Gorlaski, Lititz; and her grandchildren, Christy, Michael, husband of Karen, Ben, Alycia, Matt, Justin and Anna. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Cathy Lowe, and by her siblings Ruth Miller, Ellen Esbenshade and Paul, Clayton and Edward Emmert.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place 11 AM Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at St. James Catholic Church, 505 Woodcrest Ave., Lititz, PA, with the Rev. James O’Blaney as Celebrant. Viewings will be held 6-8 PM Monday, October 24^th at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA and also 9:30-11AM Tuesday at the church. Interment in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Ephrata, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Matthew 25 Thrift Shop, 48 E. Main St., Lititz, PA 17543 or “The Helping Hands Fund” at Lancaster Catholic High School, 650 Juliette Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601. To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100

Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page

Rick, Linda, Joan, and Carol,

I was so sorry to hear that your mother passed away. I knew that she had Parkinson’s disease and I hope she wasn’t suffering before her death. I will never forget that wonderful trip that your parents took us on across country in 1976! I have taken my kids to some of the places we visited and always tell them about the fantastic time that we had. Carol please get in touch with me when things settle down for you since we haven’t spoken for a very long time. I’m sorry I won’t be able to be there for the services, but I will be thinking about all of you.

Barb (Seyl) Cherekjian

Dear Long Family,

I was sorry to learn of Verna’s passing. She was a wonderful woman who had a great sense of humor and loved her family intensely. She will be missed. Since I now reside in Florida it was impossible for me to attend the services for her. Know that you and your families and your mom and dad will remain in my prayers. May God give you comfort and peace.

Geri Monatesti

Dear Linda & family,

I just found out today of your Mother’s passing. I am so sorry for you & your family. If I would have known, you know I would have attended the funeral. She was a great Lady, she always had a smile on her face and I truly enjoyed talking with her whenever I saw her. She is now at peace with no more suffering and with her Heavenly Father. I will be in touch with you soon. You will be in my prayers.

Patty Sabatine

To all,

I knew your Mom when we were both involved in volunteering at Lancashire Hall,
I would meet her at church, St. J.N…before she relocated to Lititz. I was so sorry to hear of her passing, but I know she is with your Dad and in a much better place. Be at peace and please know Verna will be in my prayers.

Sincerely,
Arlene Jarvis
Lancaster, PA

Dear Long family,
The Allison family sends our most heart felt condolences for the loss of your Mom. We have many wonderful memories of Verna singing with our mom, Connie, with the Quarter Notes, and mostly in the Church Choir. Although her voice is gone from us, we know she’s joined your Dad for a wonderful song in heaven.
Most Sincerely,
Russell Allison

I had the great privilege of getting to know your mother through Home Instead Senior Care. I was with her every Friday afternoon for 2 hours. I enjoyed spending this time with her. She had a great sense of humor and had wonderful stories to share about family and friends. She was thoughtful and kind and always worried she was asking me to do too much (which she never did). I am a better person for having known her and will miss our time together.

Sincerely,
Diana Mattos

Verna was a wonderful volunteer at Matthew 25. She kept us laughing a lot!

I was privileged to know her.

Nancy Reece

We are very sad to hear about Mrs. Long’s passing. We are so happy that we were able to "re-kindle" the past and spend a week with her and the whole family this past July. We still talk about her sharp wit and humor while playing cards at 11pm (we taught her a new game – 31)! Sorry we cannot make it to the services this week – our middle boy, Jonathan, is being confirmed tonight. We will cherish the great times we had with Mrs. Long, particulary during my youth. A donation will be made in Verna’s name to the Helping Hands Fund, care of LCHS.

Joe & Maria Novajosky
Nicholas, Jonathan & Timothy
Augusta, GA

Dear Carol, Anna, Linda, Joan, Richard and Families,

We were so sad to hear that your dear Mother passed away. You are all in our thoughts and prayers and I am sending you all of my love. I will never forget the fun times that we had with your Mom and Dad at the Bay and during their visits to Asheville. Your parents always welcomed us Tawanda with open arms and treated us like family. Your Mom will be greatly missed and I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to such a special woman.

Please let me know if there is anything that I can do. I hope you know that I am here for you and I love you all. You are a wonderful family.
With Deepest Sympathy and Love,
Diane and Eric Rhoton and Family

My prayers go out to you and your family. You influenced me as a child.

Sincerely,
Les Swinehart