HOULTON – Justina Clare Longstaff, 80, wife of the late Ralph E. Longstaff and only child of Wendell and Marion “Dolly” (Hogan) Smith, died March 24, 2012, at a Bangor hospital with her family present, after a short illness. Justina was born July 9, 1931, in Houlton.
Justina graduated from Houlton High School in 1949, attended Westbrook Junior College and married Ralph, Nov. 17, 1950. Together they raised potatoes on their farm for more than 25 years and worked at Hogan & Smith, the family business until it closed in 1981. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church, Houlton; and Houlton Promenaders Square Dance Club. Justina had also been a member of Houlton Music Club, Houlton Grange and Houlton Garden Club. She enjoyed gardening, rug-hooking, knitting, McGill’s Band concerts, HFD ice cream and assisting with the suppers held at Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum. She had played an active role in the creation of this museum with her husband, Ralph.
She is survived by her five children, Jill Longstaff of Greene, Lorrie and her husband, Jim Allen, and their children, Kyleen, Ryan and Ross, of Bangor, Janet and daughters, Lacey Bailey and Rebecca Bogan, of Bangor, Brian Longstaff and his wife, Darlene, and children, Patrick and Breanna, of Houlton, and Lisa and her husband, Dann Hayden, and children, Haley and Lucas, of Hartland; great-grandson, Ryker Bailey; brothers-in-law, Everett Longstaff and wife, Mary, of Sequim, Wash., and Clair Longstaff of Houlton; several nephews, cousins and very special friends.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at St. Mary’s Church, Houlton, with Father David Raymond, celebrant. After the Mass, there will be visiting and refreshments at St. Mary’s Parish Center. Interment will be at a later date. Gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be made in Justina’s memory to St. Mary’s of the Visitation, McGill’s Community Band or Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum, care of Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. Online condolences and guest book can be found at
www.dunnfuneral.com.