Obituary of Lucille Long

Long, Lucille 95, of Minnetonka, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2023, after suffering a stroke.

She was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on March 7, 1928, to John Thomas and Verna Hunsicker. She graduated from Penn State University in 1949, then earned a master's degree in physical therapy from the University of Pennsylvania. She then worked as a physical therapist, treating polio patients in Philadelphia during the mid-20th Century epidemic. She moved to the Twin Cities with her husband, G. Donald Long, in 1955, and considered herself a proud Minnesota resident from that day forward. She worked as a physical therapist for a variety of locations in the Twin Cities area. Following her career as a physical therapist, she provided decades of civic and community service to local organizations. She served as an Election Judge, a Minnetonka Park Board member, and as a volunteer tax preparer through the AARP program. She enjoyed working with Adult New Language Learners as they prepared for citizenship tests or learned English in ESL classes. She enjoyed tutoring elementary school children in reading and math. At the Ridgedale Library, she volunteered in the used bookstore and as a tax form volunteer. She enjoyed traveling in the US and abroad with two dear friends through the ElderHostel Program and with her husband, daughter, son and daughter-in-law, and other relatives. She was a dog lover, a Scrabble expert, and crossword puzzle enthusiast. She remained physically active throughout her life by swimming, biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and walking. She was a member of the Williston Fitness Center, The League of Women Voters, The Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and a season ticket holder for the Guthrie Theater for many decades. She was an organizer/ leader/ member of book discussion groups for many decades.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 34 years, G. Donald Long, who died in 1987; her parents; sisters; and brother.

Survivors include her son, Thomas D. Long; daughter Jennifer A. Long; daughter-in-law Laura Lee; and many nieces; nephews; grand nieces; grand nephews; great-grand nieces; and great-grand nephews.

The family thanks the staff at Shalom Hospice for their compassionate and professional approach to caring for Lucille.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Stroke Association, Parkinson's Foundation, or Secondhand Hounds.

A Celebration of Life will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on September 26, 2023, at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum 3675 Arboretum Drive Chaska, MN 55318