Obituary of Jean Long

Helen Jean Long (nee Crowther)

Surrounded by her family, Jean died on April 13 at the age of 80.  She was born in Toronto, attended Havergal College and graduated from Victoria College at UofT.  A lifelong Torontonian, proud and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.  Jean was married for 58 years to Stephen Long and mother to Mary Eleanor, Stephanie (Greg) and Alex (Neel) and grandmother to Hannah and Thomas.  Her sister Mary Thompson predeceased her. Whether through cross-Canada camping adventures, visiting her children in far-flung places, global travel with Stephen and friends, or spending time at her beloved schoolhouse, Jean’s caring, loving and adventurous spirit was always in evidence.  She was a keen sportswoman and was at various times a champion runner, swim team captain, badminton and tennis player, jazz dancer and more recently, aquafit aficionado.   Her strong Christian values and urge to help others led to a life of volunteerism – Brownies and Girl Guides, Delisle Youth Services, Churches-on-the-Hill food bank and especially with her church family, at Calvin.  Later in life she enjoyed a second career teaching adult high school to new Canadians.  Her retirement party was a large gathering, attended by many students who had been touched by her passion, hard work and dedication.  But Jean’s family was always her biggest source of pride and joy.  The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES – NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 20th.  A funeral service, followed by a reception, will be held in CALVIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 26 Delisle Avenue on Saturday, April 21, at 2 o’clock.  If desired, contributions in Helen’s memory may be made to the Churches-on-the-Hill Foodbank (www.cothfoodbank.ca).  Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.