LOIS EMILY MCKAY LONG, SANTA MARIA, CA – Born on October 26, 1918, Lois Emily McKay passed away peacefully on September 17, 2017. Daughter of George A. McKay of Florenceville, N.B., and Winifred Holmes of Machiasport, ME, Lois grew up in Houlton where she completed three years of training at the School of Nursing at Madigan Memorial Hospital. On July 2, 1942, she married the love of her life Eugene G. Long and then lived at 19 Hogan St. in Houlton before moving to California in 1955, living in Glendale, Escondido, and finally in Santa Maria. She was predeceased by her sister, Dorothy (Doak) of Caribou and Eugene (in 2006).
Lois leaves behind her sons David (Brigit) of Fountain Hills, AZ, John of Paso Robles, CA and Gordon (Jude) of Los Osos, CA, grandchildren Andrew of Bellinzona, Switzerland, Denise of Zurich, Switzerland, Richard of Bothell, WA, and Robert of Avon, IN, and five great-grandchildren Emily, Hannah, Gwyneth, Riccardo and Sofia.
Lois was an RN and a homemaker but most importantly was a loving, inquisitive, caring and beautiful person loved dearly by family and friends of all ages. She enjoyed traveling with Eugene in their RV including trips to Alaska, once driving and once on a cruise. Lois will be remembered for being the heart of the Long family. Her loving, sweet, compassionate welcoming nature held the extended family together. Over the years, the number of family and friends who enjoyed being house guests with “mom and dad” was countless. She will always be remembered for her fabulous pies and other delectable dishes. There were always home-made chocolate chip cookies on hand for the spontaneous visit by neighbors, friends and relatives. Lois was the epitome of love and will be forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
