The death of Esther Irene Long, age 89, of Snider Mountain, NB, widow of Eslie Long, occurred at the Sussex Health Centre, on August 8, 2013. Esther is survived by her sons; Arthur and Beryl Long of Liverpool. NS, Walter and Coni Long and Frank and Diane Long both of Nanaimo, BC; daughters; Luella Crosby of Halifax and Arletta Long of Sussex; 24 grandchildren Diane Belding, Patti, Bert, John (Tanya), Danny (Megan) and Martin (Vanessa) Long; Andrew (Sanaz) and Jeffrey (Shawnee) Johnston; Greg (Stacey) Long, Cheri (Craig) Sooley, Tara Long, Tara (Neil) Cooke, Scott (Michelle) Hachey; Elisabeth, Joel, and Tyson (Laurissa) Crosby; Melissa (Perry) Brulotte, Josh (Alyssa Zado), Andrew and Adam Long; John (Krista) Stobart, Julie; Jared (Tanya) and Peter (Ellen) Simpson; 32 great grandchildren Nathan and Toni McFarlane; Annie Riach; Ashley Guptill, Gabriel Long and Tyson Berry; Tyler Murphy, Jamie and Colin Long, Katie Woolfe; Aynsley, Cassidy and Caleb Long; Jasmine, Lara, Lane and Isabella Johnston; Cassandra, Brittany and Cullen Long; Zak and Rachel Sooley; Charleigh Long-Hernandez; Rohan and Riley Cooke, Joanna and Rachel Daley; Isaac and Jacob Crosby, Ben Stobart, Thyler and Ryder; sister Jean Edgar of North Carolina; brother-in-law Curtis Stanley, Kiersteadville; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by daughter Elizabeth Johnston; sons-in-law, Ernie Crosby and Richard Simpson; grandson, Ryan Crosby and sisters Helen Nutter, Doris Stanley and Arlene Stanley and brothers-in-law Harold Nutter and Gordon Stanley. Esther was born in Kiersteadville, New Brunswick on September 2, 1923. She was the middle child of five daughters of Albert and Neta (Walker) Edgar. She attended school and church in the community. Her father farmed and sold produce at the Saint John Market and in later years built rental cottages along the beach area now known as Pirates’ Cove. Esther spoke fondly of her life on the Belleisle Bay and recalled quick dips in the water between chores and mentioned skating across the Bay to attend church at Hatfield’s Point. In the mid 1930’s a young man from Snider Mountain struck out for Sussex in search of work. He was picked up by Mr. Edgar, who needed a hired man. This young fellow noticed that one of the five daughters was good at doing every imaginable chore (washing milk things, milking cows, raking hay, picking strawberries, gardening, cooking, cleaning, entertaining, crocheting, quilting, sewing) and patiently waited for her to get old enough to marry him. They married on September 20, 1941 and shared exactly 63 years and 4 months as husband and wife and raised a family of six children. Esther was known for her ability to play checkers and crokinole and for making peanut brittle and pancakes. In the 1960’s Esther began transporting her children to and from school and working in town at housecleaning during class time. Later she worked at the Sussex Cheese and Butter in the retail department until her arm developed tennis elbow from scooping too much ice cream. Being a life-long learner, in 1976 she enrolled in Technical School in Moncton where she studied upholstery. She continued to work at this trade well into her 80’s when she would tell people who called "Since my 80th birthday, I’ve been trying to cut back." Eslie was always proud of Esther and her accomplishments and thanked my grandfather for giving him first pick of his daughters. Esther often recalled Eslie telling her prior to his home-going "You have no idea how much I love you." Esther had a strong bond with her children, grand-children, and great-grand children and continued to recognize them and hand out some words of wisdom even in her final hours. Esther was a member of Snider Mountain Baptist Church and attended W.M.S. She also loved attending Beulah Camp. Esther was looking forward to seeing her Lord and Saviour and being reunited with her loved ones. She was quoted as saying recently in her hospital room "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be!" Visiting at Sherwood’s Funeral Home and Life Tribute Centre (506-839-2156), 18 Scovil Road, Norton, NB, on Saturday from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 pm. Funeral service will be held on Monday, August 12, 2013, at 3:00 pm from Snider Mountain Baptist Church followed by interment in adjoining cemetery. Donations may be made to the Snider Mountain United Baptist Church, Snider Mountain United Baptist Church cemetery or the memorial of your choice. Personal condolences to the family may be made through www.sherwoodsfuneralhome.com