Lynne Valerie Long

Lynne Valerie Long, age 83, of Toledo, died peacefully, with family holding each hand, on November 17, 2022, at Kingston Residence of Sylvania.

Lynne was born February 28, 1939, in Akron, Ohio to the late Ernest and Astrid (Larson) Giles. Lynne was graduated from DeVilbiss High School in 1957 and earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Toledo in 1961. Immediately after graduation, on June 10, 1961, she married newly commissioned First Lieutenant Gary Long and they were off to the west coast.

After several years in the San Francisco Bay area during Gary’s US Army service, they returned home to family, church, and friends. Lynne enjoyed taking an active role in the community, including Chi Omega Fraternity for women, Collingwood Presbyterian Church, and PEO. She also was a driving force behind Gary’s leadership in various professional and civic organizations, keeping things organized and running smoothly.

Lynne had few earthly desires other than to love and support Gary and to raise the next generation of Longs up right. Lynne was smart and stubborn, stern yet generous, well-spoken, and polite to a fault. She found joy in sharing time with her husband and children in their life’s endeavors. She was an example for her children and encouraged their educational, musical, spiritual, social, and athletic development. She let each child find their own path, supporting their choices with love and understanding.

As the children began families of their own, Lynne and Gary had the opportunity to spend some well-deserved time to themselves. Lynne enjoyed traveling in search of genealogy clues, antiquing, and spending time visiting with her grandchildren. She enjoyed “the kids“ academic awards, athletic efforts, and musical presentations, rarely missing a school, church, or sporting event. She was a formidable card player. The grandkids knew they had to bring their ‘A’ game to beat Grammy Long.

Her home was the undisputed center of family gatherings. Lynne was a marvelous hostess. Her ability to entertain while skillfully preparing and serving a home-cooked meal to a house full of guests was legendary. If you stopped in for a visit, she could be found reading and working on a puzzle or an intricate needlepoint.

Lynne was preceded in death by Gary, who was truly her life partner and soulmate. Left to cherish her memory are daughter Catherine (Robert) Lonsway, sons Stephen (Renee) Long and Jeffrey (Kim) Long, and sister Martha Netterfield. Her lasting legacy is found in grandchildren Kristin, Bradley, Lauren, Andrew, Jacob, Larson, Ryan, Cameron, Nathaniel, Kaitlyn, and Jacquelyn and in great-grandchildren Billy and Timmy. She was also preceded in death by sisters Shirley Vick and Roberta McFadden.

A private ceremony for the family will be held at Toledo Memorial Park where Lynne will be laid to rest with her beloved husband.

Contributions in her name are suggested to Collingwood Presbyterian Church or Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice.