HOULTON – Edith E. Long, 94, died Nov. 21, 2010, at a local health care facility. She was born May 9, 1916, in Oakfield, the daughter of Lindsey and Mary A. (Pratt) Boutilier. At age 1 her family moved to Dyer Brook, and in 1926 the family moved to Houlton. She graduated from Houlton High School in 1933. She enjoyed writing, drawing and sewing. She took a correspondence course in commercial art for more than a year. For two years she cared for her elderly neighbor, who died in 1937. Edith and Charles Long married in 1939 and bought their first farm in 1943. The farm increased, as did their family, and with their four sons they all worked together on their potato and dairy farms. Edith’s favorite pastime was writing letters to editors, many of which appeared in the Bangor Daily News and Houlton Pioneer Times, as well as one in a national magazine. Several of her articles were published in Farm Journal Magazine and in Hoard’s Dairyman. Her guest columns were enjoyed in the Bangor Daily News. Several of her poems appeared in the Houlton Pioneer Times. Edith had a wicked sense of humor; some of her poems appeared under the name of Esmerelda Jones. She entered many poems in World of Poetry, Sacramento, Calif., and received four Award of Merit certificates: A Golden Award, in 1986 and 1987, Silver Poet Award, in 1989, and a Golden Award, in 1990. Her poem “Patina for a Sestina” was accepted for workshop – a textbook by Eddie-Lou Cole in 1989. Edith was a past member of the 4-H club, member of Houlton Grange No. 16 and Town and Country Senior Citizens, where she served as publicity chairperson from 1985 to 1991. Edith is survived by four sons, Herbert Long and his wife, Marcene, Leonard Long and Cecil Long and his wife, Arlene, all of Houlton, and James Long and his wife, Judy, of Woodleaf, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Steven Long, Leigh Long, Katina Long, Jennifer Roshto, Charles and Thomas Long and Blake Long; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles, in 1975; four brothers, Andy, Hadley, Lloyd and James Boutilier; and three sisters, Avis Briggs, Mildred Merritt and Josephine Vincent. Friends may call 11 a.m. until the time of service 1 p.m. Friday at Dunn Funeral Home with the Rev. Wayne Robertson officiating. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery. Gifts may be made in Edith’s memory to Cary Library, Mill Pond School Library or Visiting Nurses of Aroostook, care of Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730.
EDITH E. LONG
