Leona Helen Long

Leona H. Long died quietly on December 12, 2024 at the age of 93, in Port Townsend, WA.

She was born in Chimacum, WA. to German parents Augusta and William Russ. She was the youngest of five children; her siblings Eric, Lottie, Bill and Curt.

When she was 16 years old she married her handsome Navy man John W. Long Sr. and they began their lives together which lasted 73 years until his death on March, 2020.

Leona and John worked hard side by side all of their lives for their future and family. They had four children; two daughters and two sons, Trudy (Joe) Kronenberg, Cathleen (Mike) Bingaman, John Jr. and a son that died at birth.

In the early, lean years Leona worked to support John while he attended college and later assisted him at the pharmacy they owned in Mountlake Terrace, WA., and where they bought their first home.

As the years progressed Leona held many jobs to supplement the family income; a clerk in a grocery store, at the pharmacy, as a teacher’s aid, in a floral shop, at a telephone company, and more importantly as a homemaker.

She and John retired to the family vacation home on Marrowstone Island, WA. in 1991.

 While there she became active with the Nordland Garden Club taking her turn as president and holding several other positions of responsibility. Throughout that 31-year association, she gained respect and developed many friendships that lasted until her death. She was valued and loved by all of her friends.

Leona developed many talents and hobbies including gardening, and she was a beautiful floral designer winning numerous prizes for her arrangements. Her past loved ones were never forgotten as she made wreaths and swags for their graves on the occasions of their birthdays and every holiday for nearly 40 years.

Leona is survived by her daughter, Trudy who doted on her every day of the last few years of her life, her supporting daughter Cathleen and son-in-law Mike Bingaman who adored her. She also leaves her granddaughters Tracy (Lorren) Brendemuhl, Amy (Rob Bones) Kronenberg, great grandchildren Loren (Isaac) Ripley, Cole Ross, Laina and Henrik Bones, and great-great granddaughters Riley and Brighton Ripley. She is also survived by her only living sibling Curtis Russ of Port Townsend.

We mourn the loss of our lovely and generous Mom who instilled in us respect, morality and the value of tradition through her love and discipline.