Louise Long

In Loving Memory of Louise Long
February 3, 1935 (Rolling Fork, MS) – June 29, 2026 (Pound Ridge, NY)

With gratitude and love, we share the passing of our beloved mother, Louise Long (née Howard), affectionately known as “Weezy.” She passed away on June 29, 2026, at age 91, with the quiet courage and strength that defined her life.

Born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, Louise’s life was a story of strength, determination, and hope. As a teenager, she joined the Great Migration, leaving the hardship of the rural South in search of a better life. Her journey took her from Mississippi to New Orleans, then Detroit, before she settled in Chicago’s south suburbs, where she put down roots.

There, she and her late husband, Curtis, built a home for their nine children and worked tirelessly to give them opportunities they had never known. Raising her family was Louise’s greatest joy. She devoted herself to encouraging, supporting, and believing in each of her children while nurturing her many grandchildren.

Together, she and Curtis realized the dream of homeownership and became active members of the Chicago Heights community, where Louise volunteered, worshipped, and supported local schools.

Louise found dignity in hard work and thrived in the hospitality industry. She earned a Food Service Sanitation certificate from Prairie State College, underscoring her commitment to excellence in her craft. Whether caring for homes or catering in some of Chicago’s largest hotels, she brought precision, pride, and excellence to everything she did. She found joy in serving others, preparing beautiful meals, and making people feel welcome. She was also known for her quick wit and infectious humor; her perfectly timed one-liners and unmistakable laugh could brighten any room, and years later people still found themselves saying, “Remember when Louise said...?”

Full of life, boundless energy, and unwavering optimism, Louise embraced each day with enthusiasm and found possibility wherever she went.

As her children created lives of their own in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York City, Louise visited often, taking great pride in all they had accomplished.

Throughout her life, Louise met every challenge with resilience, determination, and self- reliance. In her later years, Alzheimer’s and other health challenges changed much around her, but they never dimmed her spirit. She continued to meet each day with the quiet courage that had always defined her.

The final chapter of Louise’s life brought her to Pound Ridge, New York, where she was tenderly cared for by her devoted daughter and son-in-law.

She is lovingly survived by her children Terry, Sabrina, Andrew, Renee, Jay, and Leslie; her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Curtis, and her children Sharon, Rhys, and Vanetta.

With her hands, she made a home.

With her heart, she nurtured a family.

With her life, she gave her family a legacy to carry forward.

There will never be another Weezy. Her love lives on in every story, every lesson, and every life she shaped. She will be deeply missed, forever cherished, and lovingly remembered. And in the hearts of all who loved her, her joyful refrain lives on: “How sweet it is!”

Family and friends are invited to Pleasant Manor Funeral Home, Inc. 575 Columbus Avenue - Thornwood, New York 10594 on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 from 9:00 - 11:00 AM for funeral services.  Louise will be laid to rest in her family plot at The Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla following the funeral services. 

For those who cannot attend in person, you can virtually attend services for Louise by clicking on this link when services start

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a26072358617040

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