September 20, 1931 – December 6, 2020
Marie Irene Long, age 89 of St. Clair Shores, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2020. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Paul, her parents Rene and Laurette (Cote) Demers, and four brothers, Roger, Gerard, Leo, and Gilbert.
Irene graduated from St. Margaret Mary Grade School and St. Bernard High School in Detroit, Michigan. She married Paul L. Long on October 11, 1952. Irene worked for Chrysler Mopar division from graduation until late spring 1953. She was a dedicated stay-at-home mom who focused on the well-being of her children and her home. She was active with friends, volunteered at St. Gertrude parish, participated in three different card groups playing poker and canasta; and loved euchre, pinochle, and gin rummy with family and friends.
Irene loved to play golf and participated in a woman’s senior league for many years at the St. Clair Shores Golf Course. In later years, trips to the casino replaced visits to the golf course.
She loved to travel with Paul and enjoyed trips to San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, and several to Hollywood, Florida. In retirement they traveled regularly to Kentucky to watch horse races at Keeneland Race Track in Lexington.
In October 2013 Irene traveled to Italy and saw Rome, Florence and Assisi with her son Paul and the National Association of State Catholic Conference Directors. The highlight of the trip being seated in Vatican Square, near the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica, for an audience with Pope Francis.
Nothing was more important to her than her Catholic faith, and being with her family, especially having time with her grandchildren. Holidays and Sunday dinners were always important and, for her, always more enjoyable when the family was fully together. Attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, plays, concerts and recitals brought her great joy.
Over the last five years, Irene enjoyed her time residing at senior living facilities: American House Grosse Pointe, and more recently Lakeshore Senior Living in St. Clair Shores. She was supported by numerous dedicated and loving staff who provided her incredible companionship – she especially enjoyed outings, bingo, and happy hour. Her family will be forever grateful for the care and guidance from her medical team at Henry Ford Health.
Irene is survived by her children Steven (Debbie) Long of Sterling Heights, Paul (Melissa) Long of East Lansing, Christine (Ben) Roeder of Grosse Pointe Park, and Jennifer Armento of St. Clair Shores; grandchildren, Christopher (Lisa), Matthew (Amanda), Patrick, Mary Elizabeth, Catherine, Julia, Madeleine, Alyssa and Anthony Joseph; great-grandchildren Isabella, Isaac, and Lucas; sister-in-law Charlotte Demers; many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 11, 2020 at 10 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 22412 Overlake Street, St. Clair Shores, with Monsignor G. Michael Bugarin presiding. The Funeral Mass will be streamed at livestream.stjoan.church A private entombment will be held at Resurrection Cemetery. Due to COVID-19 no flowers please. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Solanus Casey Center, 1780 Mount Elliot Street, Detroit, MI 48207, or the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mount Elliot Street, Detroit MI 48207.
Arrangements entrusted to Kaul Funeral Home St. Clair Shores Chapel.
