Gerlina Albaran Long

Gerlina Albaran Long lived a full and vibrant life, leaving us on August 21, 2026 at the age of 72 after losing a year-long battle with lymphoma. Gerlina was born in Cabadbaran, Mindanao, Philippines in 1953. There, she grew up the oldest sibling amongst her family. She attended Candelaria Institute of Technology and Southern Islands Hospital School of Nursing in Cebu. As a member of the class of 1976, she trained alongside a group of her lifelong friends. She received her nursing degree from Cebu Velez College. Shortly after, she moved to Doha, Qatar, where she worked as a nurse for four years. There, she met her future husband, Von H. Long II. Although initially apprehensive to date him, Von was persistent and they began to date. They were married in 1983. Together, they moved to Duncan, Oklahoma and then Ponca City, Oklahoma, where Tiffany joined the family. The young family moved multiple times, to places like Anchorage, Alaska, Houston, Texas (where Tessa joined), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Katy, Texas. Every move, and no matter how brief they lived there, Gerlina forged strong friendships with her witty humor and spirited personality. Gerlina was best known for her sparkle, warm smile, and hearty laugh. She showed her love by acts of service, whether it be attending every celebration or completing every chore within her family home. Gerlina held multiple jobs, as a cashier in an elementary school cafeteria, RN, and stay-at-home mother. Each job, she worked with tenacity. She retired in 2015 after working a cumulative 26 years as a registered nurse. After retirement, Gerlina enjoyed cooking, baking homemade sourdough, watching HGTV, tending to plants, and cheering on the Houston Astros. She had a lifelong love for adventure and traveling. Some of her favorite destinations included Japan, Thailand, Alaska, Cambodia, Israel, Central Europe and her home country of the Philippines. Gerlina was caring and protective. She thought about others until the end, asking her family, “Did you eat?” every day during her last days.

As a loving mother, daughter, and sister, Gerlina is surrounded by family throughout her life and at the time of her death. She is preceded in death by: Eriberto G. Albaran (Father), Magdalena D. Albaran (Mother), Ponciano L. Albaran (Paternal Grandfather), Catalina G. Albaran (Paternal Grandmother), Julian Dopeño (Maternal Grandfather), Dominga Stomata (Maternal Grandmother), and Felimon Tito D. Albaran (Brother). She is survived in death by her devoted husband Von H. Long II, Tiffany A. Long (Daughter), Tessa A. Orellana (Daughter), Chris Orellana (Son-in-law), Gracia Cecelia D. Albaran-Chan (Sister) and spouse Esteban L Chan, Crisinti D. Albaran (Brother) and spouse Eleanor L. Albaran, Ariston D. Albaran (Brother) and spouse Imelda A. Albaran, and Raul D. Albaran (Brother) and spouse Rowena M. Albaran.