Kathleen June (Kissick) Long

Kathleen K. Long, 91, passed away on Sunday, 10 July 2011 at the Golden Living Care Center, Smithville, MO.

She was born June 19, 1920 to Arlie Mahaffee Kissick and Samuel Levi Kissick in Casper Wyoming. Kathleen is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Leonard W. Long, sister Shirley Kissick Elliott, brother-in-law James B. Elliott, parents Sam and Arlie Kissick.

Leonard and Kathleen were united in holy matrimony on June 21, 1942. Their marriage and devotion was a fairy tail love that transcended all obstacles. Kathleen and Leonard had three children, Tobey Kathleen, Judy Kay and Hal A. Long. She has five grandchildren, and three (soon to be four) great grandchildren.

Kathleen was a registered nurse working in a variety of nurse positions throughout her career. She continued to help staff and residents at the Golden Living Center despite her own illness. She was loved by all that knew her. Kathleen and Leonard traveled throughout the world living in Bombay, India; Buenos Aries, Argentina,, Newfoundland, Couchabama, Bolivia, Saudi Arabia and Ponce, Puerto Rico. The majority of their lives were lived in Colorado. Upon Leonard’s retirement they built their dream home outside of Blackhawk, Colorado. Kathleen was known for her great cooking, love of family and friends. Kathleen loved animals as much a people. Brandy, the Saint Barnard was a companion to Leonard and Kathleen as they traveled the world. The stories of a Saint Barnard in such countries as Saudi Arabia and Bolivia have warmed many family and friends with laughter and love. Kathleen lived with her daughter, Judy and her husband Edward Poncavage in Platte City, Missouri since 2001.

Kathleen in death continues to help others, she donated her body to Kansas University Medical Center. Her body will be cremated. The family will have a private memorial at the family’s beloved mountain home in Colorado in late fall. Her love will live on in all who met her. The world is a better place because of Kathleen and Leonard Long.

In lieu of flowers or money, Kathleen wanted her friends and family to take themselves out to dinner and remember her with a toast of love, laughter, prayer, and family.