Nona G. Long

1940 - 2022

Nona Gay Long, age 81, of Quincy, died on June 1, 2022, at 12:10 pm in her home.

Nona was born October 1, 1940, in Marceline, Missouri, the daughter of Lucien Dale and Helen Rosalie Veirs Long, wonderful parents who provided a home of joy and well-being.

She came to Quincy at the age of six and immediately began twice-weekly violin lessons with Fritz Miller, a fine musician who instilled a life-long love of the instrument. Later, as a student of Wayne Pyle, she never forgot the sign on his piano, "Never be flat, sometimes be sharp, always be natural." While in high school, she taught twenty-five violin students.

She attended Jefferson, Webster, and Irving Schools and graduated from Quincy Senior High School in 1958. Her bachelor's degree was granted in 1962 from Culver-Stockton College and her master's from the University of Missouri in 1963. Post-graduate work was completed from Western Illinois University and the University of Illinois.

Her career in education totaled thirty-eight years, beginning in Quincy in 1963. She taught American and British Literature at Quincy Senior High School, retiring in 1993. She took great pride in her teaching and maintained interest and contact long after retirement, attending innumerable class reunions of former students.

After retirement, she tutored in the Alternative School and taught adult extension classes in literature and classic film. Always a storyteller and incorporating her violin, she gave programs to clubs and nursing homes, often commenting that she was given far more in return than she gave.

Nona was a Jazz aficionado with large collections of classical and New Orleans Jazz recordings. Her interests included reading, classic literature, history, needlework, big bands, Bob Wills, and antique cars. Her loyal friendships are a tribute to the fullness of her life. In 2012, she and her father made the Great River Honor Flight, reliving it many times.

She served on the board of the Adams County Historical Society and the Villa Kathrine. Her memberships included the Great River Jazz Society, National Education Association, Illinois Education Association, Adams County Retired Teachers, Quincy Symphony Orchestra, and Vermont Street United Methodist Church. In addition to being a former member of POLIS, she was a former member of the Quincy Service League.

Nona is survived by her cousin Bob Long's wife, Cheryl of Jacksonville, MO, a cousin, Kay Jenkins of Hannibal, MO, her special companion, Larry Lewis of Quincy, and a cadre of dear friends and beloved former students.

Nona was preceded in death by her parents, an aunt, Muriel Jenkins.

Visitation: 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Monday, June 13, 2022 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

Services: 11:00 am on Monday, June 13, 2022 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, with Rev. Theodore Bean officiating.

Burial: Greenmount Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois

Memorials may be made to Vermont Street United Methodist Church, American Cancer Society, or the Great River Honor Flight. Memorial donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com/

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.