Joyce Lee Long, 64 of Starford, PA, returned to her heavenly home on March 3rd, 2024 after a valiant battle with a long illness and surrounded by her loving family at home. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace.
Joyce was born in McKeesport, PA on April 19th, 1959, to the late Willis and Alberta Heckman of Lucerne Mines, PA.
Joyce was blessed with a large and loving family. She married her best friend and love of her life, Thomas Leroy Long, on February 14th, 1983 in Indiana, Pa.
Joyce helped raise their four children with patience, discipline, humility, and taught them to read, write, solve complex equations, and often took them on long family trips. From the very beginning, she dedicated her children to God and encouraged them to explore the beauty of the gospels.
She had an undying passion for her dogs and had grown to love beach walks, dolphin watching, shell hunting, and sunrise services at Caswell Beach. Her lifelong hope was that all her family would accept Jesus Christ into their hearts.
Joyce and Tom had a love for their camp by Pymatuning State Park, where they would spend most of their summers and were visited by family. Joyce always had a knack for out-fishing Tom when they fished nearly every evening. Joyce also always had a love for birds and bird watching.
Joyce was an educator at heart. She was kind and soft-spoken, and always had time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how small.
She is dearly missed by her loved ones, who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her creator.
Joyce is survived by her husband, Thomas Long; her sons: Adam Long of Southport, NC, Steven Long of Starford, PA and Thomas Long of Warren, OH; her daughter Holly (Justin) McElheny of Cherry Tree, PA; her grandchildren Kirsten Chverchko (Randale Palmer) of Cherry Tree, PA, Cody Adams of Cherry Tree, PA, Emmett Long of Starford, PA, and Tommy Long of Warren, OH; and her sister Diane (Allen) Gray of Lucerne Mines, PA.
She is preceded in death by her sisters: Lynn Hicks and Chyrl Kertes and her parents Willis and Alberta Heckman.
Family and friends will be received from 4-8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 4, 2024 at the Rairigh Funeral Home, Ltd. in Hillsdale, PA. On Tuesday, March 5, 2024 an 11:00 a.m. funeral service will be held at the funeral home. Joyce will be buried at the McDowell Cemetery. Pastor Ken Brown will officiate the service.
Visit rairighfh.com to sign Joyce’s guestbook and share a condolence message.
