Betty Aldene (Jones) Long was born January 6, 1926, in Norcross, Minnesota to Inga Alphena (Haugen) Jones and Victor Sylvester Jones. She was fortunate to live a long and full life and passed away peacefully at home in Seattle on August 13, 2024, at the age of 98.
Betty spoke fondly of growing up in her small village of Norcross where many Norwegian immigrants had settled and was proud of her Norwegian heritage. She grew up surrounded by beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who she remained close with throughout her life.
In 1944, during WWII, Betty and her good friend Jan Haley traveled to Seattle where they found a place to live on Phinney Ridge and worked at Boeing. At a dance in 1945 she met her husband of 40 years, Richard Long, and they were married in 1946. After living in UW student housing for 3 years, they moved to West Seattle where they raised their family and Betty lived for 65 years.
Betty’s greatest love was her family, to whom she left behind her love and many cherished memories. She always looked forward to spending summer vacations at the ocean with her children and grandchildren and visiting her many nieces, nephews, and cousins around the country. She loved being a grandma and was so proud of her grandchildren. Betty was an accomplished seamstress and made beautiful clothes for her children and friends, loved baking, making her famous raspberry jam, a good game of cards, the Mariners, tending her garden and going out dancing.
Betty was predeceased by her parents Alphena and Victor Jones, her sister Leone Schauff, her brother Vincent Jones, her former husband Richard Long, her dear companion Al Gove with whom she shared her later years in Seattle and winters in Mesa, Arizona. She is survived by her children Greg, Vicki and Doug (Darci), her grandchildren Austin (Nikki) and Dani, her sister Janice Waltier and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In Betty’s final years, we are thankful that she thrived under the love and care of her caregivers at her adult family home in Shoreline. Betty will be deeply missed and remembered for her generous nature, positive outlook and the lives of those she touched. Her hard work, love and devotion will not be forgotten.
Donations can be made to Food Lifeline in her honor. A private family burial will be held at Acacia Memorial Park on August 21st.