Elinor E. Long

1935 - 2023

After an eleven-year struggle, Elinor lost her battle with Alzheimer's disease on April 25, 2023 while a resident at the Memory Care facility of Brookdale at Fillmore Pond in Bennington, Vermont. Despite the toll the disease had taken on her mind, eyesight, and body over that time, it never dimmed her spirit or belief in God as she continued to be the same kind and loving person adored by her family and appreciated by her many friends.

A proud daughter of Swedish immigrants, Swen L. and Annie (Carlsson) Swenson, she was born in Dedham, MA on January 12, 1935. The family moved to North Adams in the fall of that year and she lived here for the remainder of her life

A 1952 Honors graduate of Drury High School, she was involved in a number of academic and extracurricular activities. During her senior year, she assumed a part-time role as a teller at the former North Adams National Bank.

On November 7, 1964, she married Stephen M. Long, Jr at the former First United Methodist Church. She continued working at the bank for a total of fourteen years, leaving as Executive Secretary to the senior branch manager.

In 1976 at the request of the then Superintendent of Schools in the city, she agreed to fill in as a school secretary for two weeks during an individual's sick leave. Twenty one years later, she retired after serving as secretary to the principals of Conte and then Sullivan Schools.

Elinor was a faithful communicant of the First United Methodist Church, singing in the choir, serving as Superintendent of the Sunday school, serving as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees as well as a founding member of the Friendly Circle.

Besides her parents, she was pre-deceased by her sister Martha (Swenson) Crippen and close relatives both in this country and in Sweden.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter Karen S. Long and her partner, Adam Clinton of Clifton Park, New York and, her grandson, Benjamin H. Cerveny of Somerville, MA.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the First Congregational Church, 134 Main Street in North Adams, MA. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that contributions be considered to either Elder Services of Berkshire County, 877 South Street, Suite 4E, Pittsfield, MA 01201 or The First Congregational Church, 134 Main Street, North Adams, MA 01247. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.