Beloved Wife, Mother, and Grandmother Shirley Dare Long Alessi, 92, of Erie, passed away on Sunday, November 25, 2012, at her residence, surrounded by family. Born in Charlottesville, Virginia on November 7, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Cecil and Ruth Shifflett Long. She attended schools in Virginia and Massachusetts, before marrying her late husband, the love of her life, August C. Alessi. Once married, she moved to Erie and worked at Lord Corporation for many years. Shirley's greatest joy was being a devoted and kind wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She always had a smile for everyone and loved baking, traveling, playing cards, reading, and gardening. Christmas was her favorite time of the year, when she would bake over 30 different kinds of cookies, decorate extensively, and contribute many gifts to family, friends, and those in need. Shirley was extremely giving and always thought of others. She was an active volunteer and supporter for many organizations, including the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, Disabled American Veterans, Society of the 28th Division A.E.F., and the Department of Pennsylvania Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 197. She was a devoted Catholic, volunteer, and previous member of St. Luke Church, St. Mark Church and Mount Calvary Church. Besides her parents and husband, Shirley was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna L. Conner, a grandson, Robert C. Schultz, III, a brother, Cecil Long, Jr., and two great-granddaughters. She is survived by two daughters, Shirley J. Newman, and her husband Fred, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Ronna A. Brasco, and her husband Tom, of Erie; two sisters, Frances Boger and Jeanne Jones, of Charlottesville, Va.; a brother, Charles Long, Sr., and his wife Ann, of Charlottesville, Va.; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Long; a son-in-law, Andrew J. Conner, Esq.; grandchildren, Lara Ott, Kevin Newman, Julie Newman, Dr. Melissa Brasco Smith, Thomas Brasco, Jr., Esq., and Sara Newman Davis; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and good friends. Friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, December 22nd, at 1 p.m., at Mount Calvary Church, celebrated by Rev. Michael DeMartinis. Burial will be private. Memorials may be made to the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, PO Box 6239, Erie, PA 16512, Disabled American Veterans, Robert Johns Erie Chapter #73, PO Box 3415, Erie, PA 16508, or Northwest Pennsylvania Purple Heart Memorial, c/o David Hayes, 10330 Old Route 99, McKean, PA 16426. Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 845 East 38th Street, handled arrangements. Add condolences and photos at www.bruggerfuneralhomes.com.
Found obituary in "The Erie Times-News" Dated: Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012