Viola L Long

Viola Lemmitty (Raita) Long, age 98, died on March 7, 2015 at the Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 31, 1916 to Hilja and Kaarlo Raita who had come to the United States from Finland. As a young child and the primary English speaking person in the family she had unique responsibilities such as filling out the family tax form. She married Kenneth Leroy Long on May 27, 1939 and together they moved to Toledo in 1942. She was a full time mother to her four children and served as the President of their Parent Teachers Association. She always made sure her family ate together and always made home-cooked meals. When the children were grown she took a position with the tax office in Sylvania, Ohio. Viola grew that position over the years and was promoted to Tax Commissioner from which she eventually retired. She and Kenneth were active members of the Sports Car Club of America and the Glass City Chapter of the Buick Club of America. They enjoyed road rallies and traveling as part of these groups. She and Ken were also active in the electoral process with volunteer precinct positions during elections. One of her many thoughtful perspectives on civic duty was “those who can, must”. She played piano and especially loved to read and do crossword puzzles. She was predeceased by her husband Kenneth, her son Harlen Carl, her daughter-in-law Jeanne and her sister Mildred Cannady. She is survived by her sons Kenneth Alan (Diane), Clayton Hugh (Lynne), her daughter Barbara Lenore Noble (Joe Floyd), her daughter-in-law Jean Fawley (Jim) and grandchildren Scott, Kristen, Kimberly and Kelly. Also surviving are six great grandchildren. The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Mary Ellen Bucher for the love and support that she showed Mom over the past years. Friends will be received in the Neville Funeral Home, 7438 Airport Highway, Holland (419-865-8879) from 1-2 pm on Friday, March 27, 2015. Graveside committal services will be held at 2 pm on Friday, March 27, 2015 at Springfield Township Cemetery. No flowers please. Donations in her memory would be appreciated to the Browning Masonic Community where she received such loving care over the past six months, or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.