Maria E. Long

Maria E. (Schulz) Long, 83, Independence, MO, passed away May 24th, 2015 at home. Visitation will be from 2:00-4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30th, at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Maria Long’s name to Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Rd., Kansas City, MO 64137.

Maria was born April 30, 1932 in Neustadt bei, Coburg, Germany. After WWII Maria moved to England in 1951 and returned to Germany in 1953 where she married her first husband Klaus Heidrich in 1957. In 1959 she immigrated to the United States and settled in Kansas City. Maria moved to Independence in 1963. She became a US citizen in 1965 and in October 1965 earned her real estate license. She sold real estate for Cliff Brisbois and Hardin & Stockton.

In 1980 she married her second husband Jon Long. Maria started Long Homes in the early 1980’s and built 300+ homes as one of Kansas City’s first woman home builders. From 1996-2000 Maria hosted a local radio show “Just Ask Maria”.

Maria enjoyed local/national politics, being around children, dogs and helping families. Maria had a special passion helping numerous people visit the Mayo Clinic, enhancing the quality of their lives and in some instances extending their lives.

Maria beat breast cancer twice and eventually lost a long battle with cardiomyopathy. The family would like to thank Dr. Douglas Wood and the Mayo Clinic for giving the family an additional 25 years with her.

Maria will be greatly missed by friends and relatives throughout the United States, Austria and Germany. Maria left a part of her in the hearts of many!

She was preceded in death by her mother Anna Schulz; father Karl Kupfer; and brother Erich Shulz. Maria is survived by her husband Jon O. Long; son Pierre G. Heidrich; daughter Jacquie Bair and husband Troy Bair; daughter Julie Rush and husband Dave Rush; grandson Calvin Bair; and half-sister Gerda Kupfer.