Leslie A. Long

Leslie Anne Long, 80, of Rockford, IL passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 4th, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family after her battle with ALS.

Leslie was born on December 3, 1942 to parents Harry and Julia “Jewel” (Maruschak) Conkright in Chicago, IL. She lived in Chicago until her family moved to Bensenville, IL where she graduated from Fenton High School in 1960. At the age of 20, Leslie met her future husband and love of her life, Gordon Long, on a blind date and less than six months later they were married on May 25, 1963. They had 60 beautiful years together raising their family, a role model of a loving marriage.

Leslie’s greatest pride and joy was her family to whom she offered endless love, time and devotion. She was always there for her family and friends to counsel, support and encourage them. She kept her family and anyone in need in her daily morning prayers. She loved to cook and made wonderful feasts to gather her family together. She enjoyed her herb and vegetable garden and used her basil to keep her family in supply of her famous pesto. She had endless energy and enjoyed running and hiking with her family. Her and Gordon’s cabin, “Longview”, was a special gathering place where she made a home away from home for the whole family. On her hikes at Longview she enjoyed tracking wild flowers and foraging for mushrooms. She was an avid reader of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Leslie was a beautiful singer and guitar player. She sang to her family and shared her talents at monthly remembrance celebrations at St. Anne's nursing home in Rockford. She was a member of Holy Family Church where she and Gordon volunteered for Marriage Encounter.

Leslie made a lasting impact on her family, friends and everyone she came in touch with, leaving this world so much better than she found it. We are all so grateful to have loved and been loved by her.

Leslie is survived by her husband, Gordon Long; children, Cheryl (Willie) Benson, Scott (Betsy Youngquist) Long, Dustin Long, Brad Long, and Lara (Jeff) Kassel; grandchildren, Jessica (Tabor) Heiking, Megan and Noah Benson, Dylan and River Long, Chelsea and Alex Long, Allison and Mary Kassel; great-grandchildren, Gavin and Layla; brothers, Michael (Mary) Conkright and Lance (Joan) Conkright.

Leslie is predeceased by her parents, Harry and Julia Conkright and her sister, Candace “Candy” (Don) Farrar.

A visitation will be held for Leslie on Thursday November 9, 2023, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory, Mulford Chapel - 4311 N. Mulford Rd., Loves Park, IL. A prayer service will start at 6:45 pm during the visitation. Funeral Mass will take place Friday November 10, 2023, at Holy Family Parish, 4401 Highcrest Rd, Rockford, IL 61107, at 11:00 am with a visitation starting at 10:00 am until time of mass. Burial will immediately follow at Scandinavian Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Leslie’s name to the ALS United Greater Chicago at 5315 N. Clark St. #650 Chicago, IL 60640 or the following link http://donate.alsunitedchicago.org/

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