Helen W. Long

Helen W. Long, age 92 of Concord, formerly of Beijing, China and Boston, MA died on Thursday, September 3, 2009.

She was the beloved wife of the late Barry Yee Long and is survived by her daughters, Gingie Long Greene of Boston, Anna Dickerson of Rensselaerville, NY and Helena Y. Long of Concord.

Helen was born September 9, 1916 into a prominent political family in Beijing. Her father, Whang Bao Wua was a General and later Minister of Salt for northern China. She attended American-sponsored Catholic Missionary schools throughout her primary school years and then the Fu Jen Ladies Catholic University.

A family friend introduced Helen to Barry Yee Long, a U.S. Army Military Police Officer who was stationed in Beijing, China. She married Barry and emigrated to the United States in 1947. She lost contact with her family in China during the subsequent civil war in China but finally was able to locate her brother who had been imprisoned and relocated to Xian, China. Helen was also able to find her sister, Lillian, who had left for Hong Kong and then settled in London, England. Lillian and Helen reunited for the first time in 1977, after 30 years of separation.

Helen taught Mandarin to students in Chinatown in Boston for a number of years. She later moved from Boston to Concord, MA to join her daughter and son-in-law. Although medical issues diminished her later years, Helen never lost her joy for life. She continued to dance, make friends, and enjoy her coffee to the very end!

MEMORIAL GATHERING
To Be Announced

GIFTS IN HER NAME MAY BE MADE TO:
Partners Hospice
Development Office
281 Winter Street, Suite #200
Waltham, MA 02451
www.partnershomecare.org/hospiceways.htm

Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi
CONCORD FUNERAL HOME
74 Belknap St.
Concord, MA 01742
www.concordfuneral.com