Laura Martha Longwill

Laura M Longwill passed away on Monday March 5, 2012 at the age of 96. She was born in Sagamore, PA on October 22, 1915. She was the oldest of 12 children born to Maria and August Pompelia. Her parents emigrated from Italy in the early 1900’s.

She married Kenneth G Longwill in 1942. Following the war she left the mid west to start a new life in California. She moved to Whittier and then La Habra, where she resided until 2005 when she sold her home and moved to Ventura. She lived independently at the Bonaventure Retirement Residence until her health declined seven weeks ago. She spent her final days surrounded by love in the home of her son and family.

She was a woman of faith and served the church community at St. Gregory the Great Church in Whittier, CA and was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Ventura since 2005. She loved family and friends and extended hospitality to everyone she met. She worked as a book keeper and then served as a volunteer at Brea Community Memorial Hospital for over 30 years. She ran the gift shop there and volunteered well over 10,000 hours. They dedicated the gift shop in her honor.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Kenneth (Pete) Longwill and her siblings Samuel, Anna, August (Augie), Emmett (Geno), William, Mary (Yetta), and Donald (Chi).

She is survived by her son Dennis and his wife Jeannette and grandchildren Matthew (fiancée Emily), Daniel (wife Nikki), Susan and great grandchild Garrett. Her surviving siblings are Sara, Dominic (Bicky), Jenny and Charles. There are numerous nieces and nephews who lovingly refer to her as “Aunt Laura”.

A vigil service will be held this Thursday, March 8 at 7:00 pm and a funeral Mass on Friday March 9 at 11:00 am. Both services are at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 10800 Henderson Rd, Ventura, CA 93004. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations are made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o Sacred Heart Church at the above address. Or to Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, 1996 Eastman Ave, #101, Ventura, CA 93003.