Neysa C. Longmire

NEYSA LONGMIRE, beloved mother, West Seattle businesswoman, friend and community leader, passed away May 29, 2002 in her home at the young age of 80. She was born September 11, 1921 in Bellingham, WA., the daughter of Grant and Genevieve Nugent. Known and beloved throughout the West Seattle community, this gracious, generous woman was noted for her high energy and her ready willingness to give a helping hand to anyone, whether it be advice, time, money, food or clothing. The oldest of four children, she grew up in Bellingham. When her mother died at a very early age, Neysa became as much a mother to her siblings as a sister. A born nurturer, she went into nursing and became an RN at 21. She married Glenn Reynolds and lived in the South where she had a daughter while her husband was in officer?s training. It was here that she started her life long love affair for dancing as the beautiful Irish girl and her dashing Army Lieutenant often cleared the floor with their smooth routines. After the war, she moved to Seattle where she divorced in 1950, and met and married talented entrepreneur Lloyd Longmire of the noted Longmire pioneer family. He had just bought a restaurant which she helped him get off the ground while having a son and another daughter. While running the business and building a land investment portfolio they both loved backpacking in the Olympics, Canadian vacations in the family plane, trips to Hawaii and a wicked round of golf now and then. She divorced in 1968 and took over the Admiral Benbow Inn, beginning her long career as one of West Seattle?s highly regarded business women and civic leaders. From the very beginning she was active in community affairs. One of her first projects, the now tall trees all along central Admiral way that she and other local businessmen had planted many years ago, was a continued source of great pride. Neysa freely made available her time and energy as well as the meeting room at the back of her restaurant. To name just a few, The Chamber of Commerce, the Lion?s Club, the Steelworkers, the Women?s Garden Club, Fishing Clubs, the Democrats, the Republicans, the Independents, the Council Members and even a Mayor or two were frequent guests of Neysa?s, as well as the Seafair Pirates who made it their second home. She was the consummate hostess and seemed to be everywhere at once. Neysa could always make each and every person feel special, flying around during busy lunches and jam packed dinner hours, flashing those famous beautiful legs and a smile for everyone. She never slowed down and everyone still jokes about how fast she could move, even at 80, until a month ago when the cancer she had held at bay for 2 and a half years finally caught up with her. A devoted mother, Neysa always made time to spend with her family so that even in middle age, her children?s friends still call her ?Mom?. They and other friends, business associates, relatives and her 35-year long companion, Al Munguia, were glad they had the opportunity to express their love and appreciation at her surprise 80th birthday party last year. Neysa is survived by her daughters Sharon Longmire and Hattie Jack Shubic Longmire, her son Chris Carole Longmire, her brother Roy Gail Nugent, and her sister Thurza Tom Gamble. Memorial services will be Saturday, June 8th, 2002 at 2pm and will be conducted at Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Chapel, 11111 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle.