Catherine 'Babes' Long
Born In: North Sydney
Born: February 2nd, 1938
Passed in: Little Bras d'Or
Passed on: May 18th, 2015
It is with broken hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of our wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and mother-in-law, Mary Catherine 'Babes' (O’Handley) Long, age 77, on Monday, May 18, 2015, at the home of her daughter, Darlene, while surrounded by her loving family.
Born in North Sydney on Feb. 2, 1938, Catherine was the daughter of the late John Joseph and Catherine (Gillis) O'Handley.
She was married to the late Russell Long and was a stay-at-home mom who was always there for her family. She enjoyed the nightly phone calls from her daughters and was always there to provide support and encouragement when needed. She enjoyed spending quality time with her grandchildren whom she greatly adored. She was a member of St. Joseph Church, North Sydney.
She is survived by her three daughters, Darlene (Kevin) Bates, Howie Center, Marilyn (Erick) Maxwell, Sydney Mines and Sharon Marie (Tommy) Nicholas, Florence. She was a devoted grandmother to Kurtis, Brittany, Evan, Kraig, Nicole and Courtney. She is also survived by a sister, Mary Margaret (Josef) Andert, Quebec and a brother, Jimmy (Anna) O’Handley, North Sydney; her sister-in-law, Eileen (David) Lyle, Bras d’Or; brothers-in-law, Tom and Frank Long, Sydney Mines and also several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Catherine was predeceased by her husband, Russell Long, sisters, Sadie Hall and Mary Elizabeth, brothers, Archibald and A.J. O’Handley, sister-in-law, Leona MacLeod and niece, Cathy O’Handley-Stubbert.
We would like to offer a special thank you to Dr. John Kirkpatrick and his staff, the Palliative Care team especially, Dr. Ritter, Dr. A.F. D’Intino and Cathy MacMillan, RN and to the Cancer Centre staff, especially Dr. Mahmoud-Ahmed and Wendy Simpson, RN for all their care and support during this difficult time.
There will be no visitation as per mom’s request. A funeral mass for Catherine will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Joseph Church, North Sydney with Rev. Patrick O’Neill officiating. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney.
Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cape Breton Cancer Centre Comfort Fund or Palliative Care Society at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com.
Mom,
God called your
Name so gently,
That only you could hear,
No one heard the footsteps
Of the Angel drawing near…
Softly from the shadows,
There came a gentle call,
You closed your eyes
And went to sleep…
You quietly left us all.
