Jane Ann Long

Jane Ann Stowell (Mrs. Al Long), lifetime resident of South Bend and Mishawaka, died very peacefully in her sleep on December 31, 2013 at age 96. She was the youngest daughter and last surviving of the eight children who grew up in the family of dear Doc T. C. Stowell and Anne Marie Walsh on Mill Street in Mishawaka. Her siblings were Kathryn (Bill) Earle, Mary (Carl) Weidler, Dick (Hope) Stowell, Tom (Bets) Stowell, Martha (Chuck) Meuninck, Joey Stowell, and Col. Charles “Butch” (Virginia) Stowell. Jane is survived by two sons, Greg Long of South Bend and Chris Long of Richmond, California; seven grandchildren, Rachel, Sarah, Ethan, Josh, Jill, Anne and Emily Long; several great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Al Long in 1997 and a son Brian in1992.

Jane’s fondest recollections and reflections throughout her life were centered around her family, extended family and dear friends. Having lost her mom at age 10 she forever cherished that her dad’s dental office was attached to their house. He was always available to take her along for his daily walk. She was forever grateful to her older sister, Mary, who took such great care of her and the younger kids after their mom died. She treasured the peacefulness of her dad’s presence in the house where she grew up, no matter how many kids were actually around.

The families of her childhood friends in Mishawaka where she spent so much time were also a source of deep gratification (Agnes Perry, Lois Mecklenburg and Fran Trippel). Many of these friendships survived a lifelong bridge club and bowling leagues. After graduating from Mishawaka High School she worked as many young women in those “war years” did; at Bendix, Ball Band and the WPA office in South Bend.

She met her husband, Al Long of Mishawaka, shortly before the War. They loved to dance and attended many big band venues (the Palais Royale, Baron Lake Pavilion). They were married in December 1943 just before he shipped out as a Navy pilot.

After the war, as a young mother, she spent many hours at her sister Mary’s dining room table, playing scrabble, card games with music always filling the room. Every niece/nephew/kid birthday warranted a get together and celebration. At home she listened every day to the first “stereo” recordings of Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Tony Bennett, and others and she had a beautiful whistle to go along.

She is remembered by her children’s friends as a mom whose door and ear were always open and accepting and by her own peers and relatives an honest, funny, animated and accepting spirit.

As she lost her vision and mobility she was confined to a more narrow life and space. Despite this she found inspiring ways to live with dignity and purpose. She continued to be a great listener and source of moral support to her family, friends and caretakers who visited her. She also listened religiously to NPR as the basis of daily thoughts, opinions and connecting conversations. Perhaps her greatest treasure in these recent years was the constant and loving presence of her very special nieces, Jinny Weidler, Jane Weidler Conlon and Mary Ann Earle Roemer, whom she loved and cherished as her own special daughters and guardian angels. Throughout she maintained a strong spiritual and life faith, striving to stay close to those around her and to grow closer to her God. In her own quiet, humorous but powerful way, she helped others to do the same simply by being who she was.

Jane’s family also wishes to thank the staff at Cardinal Nursing & Rehabilitation for their care over the recent years.

The family requests that contributions in memory of Jane Stowell Long be offered to Center for Social Concerns c/o Fr. Don McNeill, CSC, Geddes Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556.

Services honoring Jane’s life will be held Saturday, January 11, 2014, at 11 am in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. 3rd Street, Mishawaka. Private burial will be in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger.

Friends may spend time with Jane’s family in the funeral home Friday, January 10, from 4 - 7 pm and Saturday from 10 - 11 am.