Elaine Miles Long

Elaine M. Long, age 90, resident of Westport for 60 years, passed away suddenly in Bridgeport Hospital, December 8th 2020. Daughter of Vernal Orin and Mildred Helen (Cleveland) Miles, she was born in Albany, VT and grew up on the family farm with her five brothers and sisters. She was educated in the Albany Village School, a two room schoolhouse through grade eight then attended Orleans, VT High School where she was a member of the women's basketball team. She maintained a love of the game for her entire life and enjoyed watching the Women Huskies crush their opponents. She married Thomas R. Long in 1949 and spent the next 62 years with him, working, raising their family, building his career and exploring the world. In 1962 they moved to Westport, CT and joined the Greens Farms Congregational Church where she served on many committees and contributed greatly of her time. She especially enjoyed the music program and seeing her children and grandchildren sin in the choir. Mrs. Long worked hard all her life. As a young child, she went with her father into the woods with a team of horses to cut timber. Each night, she would take a cup of milk from their Jersey cow to the widow down the street, and while there, fill her wood box, for which she received a dime a week. As a young adult she waited tables at the resorts in Stowe, VT and then worked at the UVM infirmary in Burlington, VT while Thomas attended classes. When they moved to New Haven, CT for law school, she worked for the AC Gilbert Company running an early form of computer called a comptometer. After taking time to raise her three sons, she returned to work in a doctor's office until she retired in the late 80's. She enjoyed nature and the wildlife around the pond in her back yard. She was regularly active in the Nature Center in Westport, CT. Keeping detailed precipitation records, advocating for environmental causes and supporting the Center in all it did. She enjoyed photography and participated in shows at the Senior Center where she won awards for her compositions. She enjoyed being on the water whether it was a trip to the beach, a summer vacation on their boat or around the world on a cruise ship. She is survived by her sons, Edward and Dana Long; daughters-in-law, Andrée and Melinda Long; granddaughters, Samantha, Emma and Amanda Long and her great-grandson, Dean Murray. She was predeceased by her husband Thomas R. Long, Sr. and her son, Thomas R. Long, Jr. Due to current circumstances services will be private. Mrs. Long will be laid to rest in the family plot at Irasburg Cemetery in Vermont in the spring. For information or to offer an online condolence please visit www.SpearFuneralHome.com