Kathleen M. Long

Kathleen Long, 68, passed away peacefully at home on October 29, 2022, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Kathy is preceded in death by her parents Clarence "Larry" and Veronica "Bonnie" Long. She is survived by her devoted husband John Murray; her adoring children, Beth (Dave), Sean (Jess), and Matt; and her beloved granddaughter Evelyn "Evie." Kathy will also be dearly missed by her sisters Annemarie (Sarah) and Maryellen; her mother-in-law Pauline (John, deceased); her sisters- and brothers-in-law; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; her biological brother Greg (Michelle) and sister Carol; and countless other loved ones.

Before Thanksgiving of 1954, Larry and Bonnie received the awaited call: Their adopted baby girl was coming home to them. Kathy was later joined by her sisters Annemarie and Maryellen who all grew up on their beloved tree-lined street in Philadelphia. Deeply grateful for a loving home with the Longs, Kathy proudly kept her maiden name for the rest of her life.

Everyone who knew Kathy admired her free spirit, tenacity, and bottomless heart. A graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School, she embraced her love of all things French as an au pair in the mountains of Annecy, France. In a move that surprised many, but should have surprised no one, Kathy contemplated becoming a nun and lived with the Carmelites for six months. After brief administrative roles at several Philadelphia colleges, she found a job that stuck and served for over 30 years as a Holy Redeemer Hospital medical messaging operator.

In 1985, she married John, her kindred spirit and partner in her unwavering Catholic faith for over 37 years. Kathy's faith was a pillar of her life, evident in her deep devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Margaret of Castello and her championing causes she cherished.

Kathy was many things to many people, but being a mom was one of her greatest joys. She nurtured her three children and encouraged their individuality via elaborate fort-building, extravagant dress-up parties, and fantastical art projects. She also became an honorary mom to her children's friends, who could always count on her home as a safe haven of imagination, laughter, and warmth.

After moving to Yardley, PA, Kathy took up strolling the canal to watch her beloved ducks and turtles and tackled adventurous new crafting projects. Her smile was always brightest when playing with her granddaughter Evie, who loved when Mom-Mom read Madeline to her. Kathy also adored working as an aide at St. Ignatius Preschool and never forgot the little children in her care.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet Kathy's family on Thursday, December 8 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Swartz-Givnish Funeral Home, 323 E. Washington Ave, Newtown, PA 18940. A memorial Mass will be held on Friday, December 9, at 10:30 AM at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church, 999 Reading Ave, Yardley, PA 19067. Her interment will be handled privately.

Kathy's kindness and generosity live on not only in our hearts but through her selfless gift of body donation to science. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Darren Daulton Foundation.