Miriam Edgerley Long

Miriam Edgerley Long and her beloved husband of over 25 years, W. Cliff Long, passed away on May 14, 2025, at their home in Joppa, Maryland. Miriam was originally from Johnstown, Ohio, the daughter of Harold and Oma Edgerley. She graduated with honors from Otterbein College and later attended the University of Maryland in College Park. She began her career teaching at Northern High School in Baltimore, worked as a Realtor, and ultimately served as office manager for Dr. Richard Habersat until her retirement.

Miriam was well known for Miriam's Gunpowder Gardens at 6 Gunpowder Drive, which she created and lovingly tended for over twenty years despite undergoing six joint replacements and three spinal fusion surgeries. When she and Cliff were no longer able to maintain the gardens themselves, she posted Craigslist ads inviting visitors to take free perennial divisions. "It's one small way I have where I can give back to others," she said. Over the years, more than 500 people visited her gardens-a source of immense joy for her.

Miriam's other great passion was singing. She performed in churches, the Bel Air Community Chorus, Harford Choral Society, Deer Creek Chorale, and most recently the Christ Our King Presbyterian Church Choir. With the Deer Creek Chorale under the direction of Martha Banghart, Miriam sang at Carnegie Hall four times, in two cathedrals in Barcelona, and in Carmina Burana at Lincoln Center. She also ran two part-time businesses in her spare time. Though pain affected her body, Miriam moved through life like a seasoned gardener: steady, patient, and quietly strong.

Miriam is survived by her two sons, Fielder Hiss, III (Christina Grace) of Newton, MA, and Jason F. Hiss (Jennie Parker Hiss) of Lusby, MD; two grandchildren, Faith Louise Hiss and Miller Fielder Hiss; and her stepdaughter, Patricia Long (Susan Mitchell) of Elverson, PA. She is also survived by her former husband, Fielder Hiss, Jr., of Stowe, Vermont.

Her body has been donated to the Maryland State Anatomy Board. A celebration of life service will be held at Christ Our King Presbyterian Church, 10 Lexington Road, Bel Air, MD 21014, on July 15 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Deer Creek Chorale (deercreekchorale.org), the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, or Shriners Hospitals for Children.