HARTLAND, N.B. – Blanche Gertrude DeLong passed away May 12, 2006, surrounded by her family and caregiver at her home at 135 Rockland Rd., Hartland, N.B. Born Sept. 12, 1910, in Maple Ridge, N.B. she was the daughter of the late John H. Young and Annie F. (Dunlop) Young. Mrs. DeLong was predeceased by her husband, the Rev. George A. DeLong, to whom she was married for 56 years. Together they pastored Reformed Baptist and Wesleyan Churches in New Brunswick and Maine, including Perth, North Head on Grand Manan, and Saint John, N.B., Fort Fairfield, Houlton, Old Town and Beals. A practicing nurse throughout her life, graduating from Victoria Public Hospital in Fredericton, she led the province in her nursing board examination. She held several supervisory positions in several New Brunswick and Maine hospitals. Mrs. DeLong was the complete pastor’s wife. She utilized her nursing skills in the pastoral work and she often filled the pulpit in her husband’s absence. She was a sought after speaker at spiritual conferences, retreats and special services. She was a mentor and friend to several generations of younger pastor’s wives. In the 1950’s she began a maternity home in Jonesport, in partnership with the Maine Sea Coast Mission in Bar Harbor. After being active for many years in the Women’s Christian Temperance Union she was appointed Evangelistic Superintendent for Canada. A loving and devoted sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she is survived by her twin brother, Don S. Young and wife, Eileen, of Toronto, ON; two children, Janet Phillips and husband, Duane, of Winter Haven, Fla., the Rev. Gary A. DeLong and wife, Judy, of Bar Harbor; four grandchildren, Peter Hall, Stephen Hall, Marcy Sanford, Joshua DeLong; four great-grandchildren, Morgan, Jacob, Abigail, Julia; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sisters, Bertie Flemming and Nellie Dunphy. Resting at the Britton Funeral Home, High Street, Hartland, N.B., with visiting hours 7-9 p.m. Sunday. The funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday at the Hartland Wesleyan Church. Interment will be in he Greenwood Cemetery in Hartland. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Hartland Wesleyan Church or the Maine Sea Coast Mission. www.brittonfh.ca
BLANCHE GERTRUDE DELONG
