Rita Long

Rita Marie Long (Tardif), 89, of Chillicothe, Ohio, died Sunday, May 14, 2023, in Chillicothe, Ohio. She was the wife of the late George 'Bill' Long, Sr. Born in St, Agatha, Maine on July 29, 1933, Rita was the daughter of the late Thomas and Anna (Gagnon) Tardif. Rita grew up on her family's farm with an extraordinarily strong work ethic, in a French-speaking community. She graduated from Our Lady of Wisdom High School in St. Agatha, Maine, class of 1951, and started work as a waitress and a telephone operator in Madawaska, Maine. She met her husband Bill Long who was stationed at an Air Force Base nearby in Caribou, Maine. They moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, near where Bill was from, and married on February 23, 1957. The couple moved to Chillicothe in 1958.

Rita always loved learning and started her college education studying for a Geology degree during the 1960's. She finished college with a B.A. in French in 1971, and a M.A. in French Literature in 1973. Rita began working in Chillicothe as a student-teacher in French, as a substitute-teacher in Ross County, and then as a teacher in French and English at Adena High School in Frankfort, Ohio. In 1981, she left teaching to start a career as a Real Estate professional, retiring in 2022 from a career she loved. Rita especially enjoyed welcoming homebuyers from out of the area and encouraging them to move to Chillicothe.

Rita was always working on two or three projects, keeping her hands and her mind active. She made clothes for her children, was an inventive cook, played fierce tennis, traced family genealogy, enjoyed reading literature, refinished furniture, spent many vacations camping with her family, collected antiques, fossils, rocks, geodes, gems, and jewelry-- you name it. She loved being outside gardening. She was a past President of the Brewer Heights Garden Club and was an active member and past President of the American Association of University Women (A.A.U.W.) in Chillicothe. She especially treasured her friends in the A.A.U.W. Drama Group and the Dinner Group. She was a long-time Bridge enthusiast, playing cards with several Bridge Clubs. Rita and Bill traveled in their later years, enjoying their family and friendships. She was always a devoted, energetic, and inspiring wife to her husband and a wonderful mother to her children. Rita had a real passion for the people in her life and all her varied and evolving interests.

Rita is survived by three children, George, Jr. (Beverly), Anna and Dwight, all of Chillicothe; granddaughter Amanda (Ryan) Pontious and great-grandson Liam, all of Columbus, Ohio; one surviving sister, Esther (Jim) Gill in Cumberland, Maine, and many dear nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband and several brothers and sisters.

The family thanks Westmoreland Place and National Church Residences Hospice for their loving care.

Friends may call at Haller Funeral Home in Chillicothe, on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita's memory may be made to Indianola Children's Center, 1970 Waldeck Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43201.
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