Helen IIene Patrica Connery Long

Helen Ilene Patrica Connery Long

June 20, 1921 – August 1, 2008

Helen C. Long, 87, a resident of Corona del

Mar for over 50 years passed away peacefully of

age-related causes at her retirement residence

in Irvine.

Helen was born in Quincy, Massachusetts

and reared in Washington, D.C. where she

graduated from Immaculate Heart Academy

College. She was the youngest of four

daughters of Maurice and Mary Frances (Donahue) Connery, all of

whom predeceased her.

World War II brought Helen to California to join her first husband,

Wes Howland. As a Marine photographer, Wes was assigned

to Guatemala for part of the war and Helen joined him there.

Fascinated by the people and country, Helen was a quick student of

the language.

After the war, Helen lived in San Francisco where she met her

husband, Jerry D. Long. They were married in 1950 until his death

in 1973. They moved to Corona del Mar in 1953 with their two

daughters.

Helen spent most of her working life as

an executive secretary. In Orange County

she worked for several non-profits. At the

Orange County March of Dimes, she was

pivotal in organizing the first Walk-a-Thon

in California. Later, she helped create the

first Victim-Witness Assistance program in

California. She also helped establish Make-a-

Wish in Orange County.

In retirement, Helen continued to be an active observer of the world

around her. She was a devoted friend and excellent audience to a

large circle of active friends. Always ready with a new joke, friends

and acquaintances looked forward to hearing her latest.

Helen loved words and language and poetry. She was a passionate

crossword puzzle fan and eventually found the New York Times

Sunday crossword too easy.

She is survived by daughters Lucinda Mary Long (Pat Barker) and

Petrina Mary Long (Sam McCamey), granddaughter Samantha Eileen

McCamey, niece Mary Frances Armentrout, stepson Michael T.

Long, daughter-in-law Ruth Long, granddaughters Kathryn A. Long

and Diana H. Stacey (Doug), and three great-grandsons, Mickey,

John and David.

The family has scheduled a memorial at a later date. Please contact

Lucinda at 775-883-7790 or Petrina at 310-206-6149.