Miriam Halpin Long

Miriam "Mimi" Banker Howd Halpin - Long died Friday, February 3, 2012 in Toms River surrounded by her family. Born March 18, 1919 in Albany, New York, she was the daughter of Albert and Helen (Koch) Howd. She attended Alfred University where she met and married John W. Halpin. They moved to Chadwick Beach, New Jersey in 1947 and started and operated Sea Bee Lumber and Supply Company for 33 years. After her husband's death, she ran the business as President for 15 years. She became popularly known as "Mrs. Sea Bee." Upon her retirement in 1979, she opened the Bashful Duck Antique Shop in Barnegat, New Jersey and later was involved with Main St. Antiques in Toms River. In 1987 she married Robert E. Long and spent many years accompanying him on his trips with his travel agency. She always enjoyed going to the family camp in the Adirondacks of New York State. Mimi has been a warm and caring person her entire life and a toe-tapping Lawrence Welk fan. She was a lifetime member of the Ocean County Historical Society and a double charter member of Zonta.

Mimi was predeceased by her husbands John W. Halpin, Sr. and Robert E. Long, as well as her sister Marguerite Howd Silliman and brother Frank H. Howd. She is survived by her son John William Halpin, Jr. and his wife Bonnie (Baer) Halpin and son David Lawrence Halpin, and four grandchildren, Kelly Halpin Raso, Amy Halpin Bencie, John W. Halpin III and Laurie Jean Halpin. She also had 9 great-grandchildren.

There will be no calling hours, however there will be a Celebration of Mimi's Life on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at The Presbyterian Church of Toms River at 11:00 A.M. In lieu flowers, contributions may be made to the Ocean County Historical Society or the Van Dyke Hospice of the Community Medical Center.