Kathleen “Kathy” Long

Kathleen “Kathy” Long, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on August 22, 2026, at the age of 65.

Kathy was a woman who loved her family deeply. Of all the roles she held in life, being a grandmother was one of the greatest joys of her heart. She treasured her 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, and she had a way of making every child feel special and loved. In many ways, Kathy was a kid at heart herself. She loved shopping for the children and was always ordering toys, gifts, and little surprises for them. She could get just as excited about a new toy as the kids could, and there was never a shortage of packages showing up because Kathy had found something she thought one of them would love. And then there was Kathy’s sweet tooth. She was diabetic and absolutely knew she wasn’t supposed to have sugar, but that never seemed to stop her from enjoying a sweet treat when she could get away with it. Her love of sweets was just another one of those things that made her uniquely Kathy and gave her family plenty of stories and smiles to remember her by. 

Kathy also had a lifelong love of fishing. She enjoyed being outdoors and on the water, but the best part was often simply spending time with the people she loved and making memories together. Her heart for children and her faith were another defining part of her life. Kathy worked in kids’ church throughout her entire life, faithfully giving her time, energy, and love to generations of children. She had a special place in her heart for kids, and she poured herself into making them feel welcomed, cared for, and loved. Her years of service touched countless lives, and that legacy will continue through the people she influenced. 

Kathy was preceded in death by her grandparents, Francis Bly and William George Bly; her father, Bruce Bly; her mother, Fusako Yamamoto Beckworth; her stepfather, George Beckworth; her stepsisters, Brandi and Ivy; and her grandson, Anthony Rodriguez. 

She is survived by her husband, Chris Long; her children, Michael Long; Robert Long and wife Tonya; Krystin Baggerly and husband Kevin; and Patrick Long and wife Amy; her 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; her stepmother, Jean Bly; her sister, Carrie Bly; her brother, Dalton Bly; her step-sister, Julie Keeler; nephews Adam West and Eric West; and numerous other nieces, nephews, family members, and friends who loved her dearly. 

Kathy will be remembered not only for the love she gave her family, but for the joy she brought into their lives. She was a grandmother who loved spoiling her grandchildren, a woman who never quite outgrew her own childhood sense of excitement, a fisherman who loved being outdoors, a servant who spent her life caring for children, and a woman who could never quite say no to a good piece of candy. Her family will miss her laughter, her generosity, her sweet tooth, her unexpected packages, and all the little things that made her uniquely Kathy. 

Though her absence leaves a tremendous void, the love she gave so freely will continue through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all those whose lives she touched. Her life was a blessing, her love was a gift, and her legacy will live on through the generations she loved so dearly.