NEW GLASGOW - Mary Margaret (Burke) Long passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, September 29, 2007, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Mary was born in Georgetown, P.E.I. on December 30th, 1926, to William and Laura (Poulton) Burke, the third youngest of eight children. The Burke family moved to New Glasgow in 1941. When her mother died in 1943 Mary helped her father raise her two younger sisters. During the war years Mary had the unenviable job of delivering telegrams and later worked at Woolworth's lunch counter. She met the love of her life Charlie Long who she married on April 29th, 1947. Mary spent the remainder of her life raising and caring for her large family. Mom contributed to the family income through her excellent sewing, knitting and crocheting skills. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren all have beautiful mementos of her love in baby sweaters and other clothing that she knitted for each of them. She was immensely proud of her family and her love was unconditional. Her hospitality was second to none and she loved entertaining. The house was always a beehive of activity and our friends always knew they were welcome. Music was always an important part of her life and she loved to sing to Dad's guitar playing. Sadly mom was widowed after Dad's sudden passing in 1983. She spent the last 24 years totally committed to family. She was heart broken at the loss of her daughter Vaughn Ann in 1998. During the past 14 months she was comforted by the love and support shown by her large family and her strong faith. Mom never ceased to amaze us by the way she relentlessly battled her disease. We can never repay her for the sacrifices she made for us throughout her life. Mom had a great sense of humour and loved to laugh. The inside joke in our family was do not say anything bad about the Pope, the Royal family or the Kennedys or mom would put you in your place. She loved to play (and win) at cards and board games. She was an avid reader who loved to discuss world affairs. We are going to miss her so much that words cannot describe. Mom was predeceased by her parents; husband Charlie; daughter, Vaughn Ann; sisters Florence, Mabel and Dolly as well as brothers, Bill and Stewart. She is survived by sons Francis; (Patti) of New Glasgow; Gary (Judy) Stony Plain, Alberta, Bill (Sandee) Tantallon, Nova Scotia; daughters Brenda (Bob Allen) MacLellans Brook, Linda (Leo Farrell) Plymouth, Judy (Lauchie Chaisson) Sandra (Brian Richardson) both of New Glasgow and Jacqueline at home; grandchildren: Jeffrey (Jenna) Long, Scott (Carrie) Long, Pamela (Tony) DiIorio, Blair (Crystal) Long, Bryce (Leah) Long, Janet (Jason) MacKinnon, Jason Hardy, Sandy Hardy, Ashley Allen, Michael Farrell, Shannon (Brent) MacPherson, Stephen Chaisson, Laura Richardson, Adrienne Richardson, Ryan Long and Kelsey Long; great-grandchildren: Ciaran DiIorio, Kiera Long, Eric Long, Cameron MacKinnon, Landon MacPherson; sisters : Theresa and Mona both of Welland, Ont. Her remains will rest in the H.W.Angus Funeral Home ,New Glasgow for visitation from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.on Monday. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. From St. John The Baptist Roman Catholic Church with Father Gary MacPherson officiating. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Society. angusfuneral@ns.sympatico.ca