Joan Weidner Long

It is with much sadness that we announce Joan Marie Weidner Long passed away on March 19, 2026 on Saint Simons Island, Georgia. She was the beloved wife of Stewart McLendon Long, Jr. for 57 years. Born on October 9, 1947, to Gloria Marie Hoa LeBlanc Weidner and William Daniel Weidner, Jr. in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she was raised in a loving family of five children.

Joan attended Holy Name of Jesus grammar school and graduated from Mercy Academy. She went on to attend Louisiana State University and Tulane University, where she studied early childhood education. After moving to Atlanta, she pursued an interior design and art degree at Georgia State University.

In her early years in Atlanta, Joan worked as a teacher before going on to build a successful interior design business. She had an extraordinary eye for color and design, and her creativity was evident in every space she touched. She also had a deep appreciation for architecture and enjoyed it throughout her lifetime.

Early in their marriage, Joan and Stewart embraced a life of travel while he served in the Navy. Together they lived in California, Rhode Island, Washington State, and were stationed in Japan before eventually settling in Atlanta, where they raised their two children. Joan was a deeply devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. When raising her own children, she instilled in them her Christian faith, which guides them to this day. She was always there to listen, give thoughtful advice and counsel, and also allowed them the space to learn from their own experiences. She continued these same principles with her grandchildren and shared an incredibly close and special relationship with all five of them who called her “Bunny.” She cherished time spent visiting her children and grandchildren in Missoula, Montana, creating memories that will live on in their hearts.

She enjoyed playing tennis at Capital City Country Club, where she was an active member of an ALTA team and formed many lasting friendships. She continued this with her children and was a Junior ALTA team mother.

Joan and Stewart resided in many homes in Atlanta, Charleston, Cashiers and St. Simons Island, each one beautifully renovated and thoughtfully designed in her signature style including the gardens. A lifelong artist, Joan was especially gifted in oil painting, creating beautiful landscapes, still lifes, and portraits. Her artwork fills her home and the homes of her family, where it will be treasured for generations.

She was a beautiful person inside and out, a real southern lady with a warmth and sincere kindness that drew people to her. Joan had a generous spirit and was always willing to lend a hand to those in need. Throughout her life, she quietly helped several families—opening her home for them to live, supporting them in times of need, helping them find jobs, and even assisting them in purchasing homes. Her compassion and generosity made a lasting difference in their lives. Even though she faced many medical challenges throughout her lifetime, she maintained a positive attitude and set an example of how to live with adversity.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, William Daniel Weidner, Jr. and Gloria Marie Hoa LeBlanc Weidner and her younger sister, Susan Marie Weidner Sileo.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Stewart McLendon Long, Jr. and their two children: Michelle Long Sellman (Rich) and Dr. Stewart McLendon Long III (Melinda).

Her granddaughters, Emma Long Tumbleston and Sophie Long Tumbleston; and her grandsons, Stewart McLendon Long IV, Harrison Bennett Long, and William Oliver Long of Missoula, Montana. She is also survived by her siblings: Gayle Marie Weidner Ehrensing (Lucas, deceased), William Daniel Weidner III (Janis, deceased), David Eric Weidner (Kathryn), and 22 nieces and nephews.

A tenth generation New Orleanian, she was descended from several old European families from France and Spain that were prominent in colonial New Orleans. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Spirit of ‘76 Chapter, NSDAR) and The Orleans Club.

Joan will be remembered for her grace, creativity, generosity, and the deep love she gave so freely to her family and friends. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6367 St. Charles Avenue on Tuesday, March 31, 10am visitation, 11am Mass where her cousin Father Clyde LeBlanc, SJ will officiate. Burial to follow in Metairie Cemetery. Donations in her name can be made to Covenant House of New Orleans, 611 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112.