Laura Cancilla Long

Laura C. Long passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, with family by her side. She was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Gerald Francis Long, in 1983. She is survived by her sisters Rebecca and Jan who reside in Buffalo, NY and she lost her younger brother Mike in 2016. Laura is also survived by her 7 children: Jerry Long (Joanne), Kathleen Shine, Chris Long (Mary), Dan Long (Lori), Terry Long, Theresa Usher (Erik) and Rebecca Bugas (Gerry). Laura has 26 grandchildren, and 30+ great grandchildren.

Laura was born May 28, 1928 to her parents Rebecca Thomas and Anthony Cancilla and she grew up in Buffalo, NY. She attended Lafayette High School and knew she wanted to pursue art at an early age. She met her husband Jerry in 1947 and after he finished his service in the U.S. Army, they married in 1949 and started their family in Buffalo. They made their way to California in the summer of 1960 in a station wagon with 5 children and a 6th child on the way (one more would arrive 10 years later). They settled with their 7 kids in Woodland Hills, where Laura and Jerry were very active members at St. Mel Parish and School, Crespi Carmelite High School and Louisville High School. Laura was an excellent cook, and the Long’s kitchen and backyard were always filled with friends, neighbors, and teenagers. When her kids were mostly grown, she enjoyed her job in the business school at Cal State University, Northridge from where she eventually retired.

Laura was an accomplished and passionate artist. She loved painting with both oil and watercolor, and she was a member of the Valley Watercolor Society for over 40 years, serving as president from 2001-2003. In the early 1990’s, Laura founded a group of artists called Studio 10, who met every Wednesday morning to paint, share their techniques and laugh together. She met many of her friends through her art connections, and she shared her talents as a judge at several art shows in the area. Laura was also a volunteer at Kaiser Hospital in Woodland Hills for over 25 years, where she worked with hospice families. Generous with her love, time and talents, she will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Laura will be fondly remembered and has been embraced by Our Lord in heaven.

For those who would like to donate in Laura Long’s honor, they can do so online here: https://louisvillehs.myschoolapp.com/page/giving?siteId=719

or via check to:

Louisville High School

Attn: Teresa McMenamin/Advancement

22300 Mulholland Drive

Woodland Hills, CA 91364