Durkin, Joan Louise Long Obituary

Durkin, Joan Louise Long attended Horace Mann High School in Gary, IN. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Durkin, Joan Louise Long.

Graduation Year	Class of 1950
Date of Passing	Oct 05, 2009
About	Joan Louise Long of Hobart, born July 7, 1932, the eldest child of John and Emily Durkin, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 77 on October 5, 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was a 1950 graduate of Horace Mann High School with an Education degree from Ball State and a Masters degree from Indiana University. She retired from the Merrillville Elementary Community Schools after working for 27 years as the librarian. After retirement, she served as a volunteer for several years at Methodist Hospital in Merrillville. Joan had many happy memories of her co-workers, and had a special group of friends, many dating back over 70 years to grade school. The "Bridge Club" and "Breakfast Group" were a couple of her and Jim's favorite activities. She loved playing bridge and bingo, solving puzzles, traveling with family and friends, caring for many family dogs, and especially watching her grandsons grow and mature. Joan was an avid sports fan, and had front row seats at many "grandsons" sporting events over the years. Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, James Long; brother, Jack Durkin; and granddaughter, Rebecca Joan Miller who died as an infant. Joan was a loving wife, mother, and grandma and is survived by her sister, Pat (Durkin) and Pete Meyer of Hebron, IN; three daughters: Teri (Long) and Scott Miller of Brownsburg, IN, Jeannie (Long) and Kenny Hastings of Hobart, IN, and Sue (Long) and David Woodward of Valparaiso, IN; three grandchildren: Joshua Miller of Brownsburg, IN and Jacob and Riley Woodward of Valparaiso, IN; sister-in-law, Carol Durkin of Williamsville, NY; many nieces and nephews, especially Earle Long and his wife Susan of Indianapolis, IN; and special caregiver, Margaret Kamuwanga of Zambia, Africa.