Delores ‘Dee’ Teresa Long
August 5, 1935-September 30, 2026

Dee Long, age 91, passed away peacefully September 30, 2026 in Eureka. She was born August 5, 1935 in Bangor, Maine, spent her childhood and most of her teen years between Detroit, Michigan and Eureka and moved to Eureka permanently in 1956 until her passing.

Dee’s life was dedicated to her family, being a loving stay-at-home mom until her three boys were of high school age, at which time she became a special education teacher’s aide for the Eureka City Schools for 24 years. Dee and her late husband Bill were avid supporters of their children’s activities, always driving them to sports practices and attending their games, starting with fifth grade basketball, Little League Baseball, followed by many cold foggy nights spent at the Eureka Babe Ruth Field, then all through St Bernard’s High School. She never missed a game her sons were playing. Dee was a scout leader for Pack 54 when her boys were in scouting. Dee was always involved in her children’s school activities, sometimes as a team parent providing transportation to games, chaperoning school dances, volunteering at the school cafeteria, or chairing the St. Bernard’s PTA. She also helped at Bingo for the Crusader Athletic Board. When her kids were little Dee’s hobbies included sewing and ceramics, many items that remain as decorations in her home to this day. She also loved to shop and to sing, with so many days being “A Sound of Music” experience around the house. After her husband Bill’s passing in 1985 Dee looked forward to her many weeks long vacations in Florida to hang out with her aging parents, her sister, nieces and family.

In her later years Dee donated her time at St. Joseph’s Hospital and at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop in Henderson Center. Although getting up in age she looked forward to her weekly card games with her group of lady friends.

Dee is survived by sons Bill Long (Debbie) of Folsom, Calif., Dave Long (Lori) of Eureka, and Terry Long, also of Eureka. Her surviving grandchildren, who all affectionally called her “Gram Dee” are Ross Long (Rachel) of Vista, Calif., Ryan Long (Kelly) of Oceanside, CA, Lindsay Ford (Trever) of Orangevale, Calif., Travis Long (Alli) of Citrus Heights, Calif., and Tyler Long (Katie) of Seattle. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren: Nora Vickery, Rush Long, Winnie Long, and Goldie Long, all from Vista. Wes Long and Sutton Long from Oceanside. Elias Ford and Kayden Ford from Orangevale. Dee greatly valued the time she was able to spend with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all who live outside of the area, whenever they came for a visit or in earlier years when she was able to visit them. Dee is survived by her younger sister Linda Kelly of Melbourn, Florida, niece Shannon Daly (Bryan) of Melbourn, their children Lindsey and Casey Daly, and niece Jessica Kelly of Orlando, Florida, who she thought of as a granddaughter. She’s also survived by brother-in-law Jim Long of Eureka, nieces Kathy Rasmussen (Greg) and Shari Borges (Alan) and brother-in-law Jerry Long (Nema) of Roseville, Calif. and nephew Rich Long (Kathy) of Folsom, as well as sister-in-law Tahni Long of Eureka, and niece Tracy Walters (Rob) of Eureka. Dee leaves behind many dear friends, some that she has known for decades including Jacky Gomes, Bonnie Rotherham and Maria Burns. She also left son Terry’s dog Daisy, a Jack Russell Terrier, who lifted her spirits and gave her great joy whenever she visited Dee.

Dee was preceded in death by the one love of her life, her husband of 29 years, William “Bill” Long, her parents Ernest and Dorothy Finnegan, her parents-in-law William and Anita Long, brother-in-law Tom Long, sister-in-law Pat Long and nephew Jerry Long.

The family would like to thank the staff at Frye’s Care Home in Eureka for the care they provided for Dee in the last year of her life. An additional thank you goes to Leslie Jacob and Erin McBride for the comfort they gave Dee in her final months.

Friends and family are invited to attend services on Saturday, October 24, at 12:30 p.m. at St. Bernard’s Church for a funeral mass, followed by a graveside service at St. Bernard’s Cemetery at 2 p.m., then to the Eureka Woman’s Club for a Celebration of Life reception.

In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Bernard’s Academy Athletics or the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Dee Long’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.