Mary Lou (Hathaway) Long was born in Philomath, Oregon, the only child of Hubert and Mildred Hathaway. In 1960, the family moved to Dallas, Oregon, where Mary Lou graduated from Dallas High School. She was active in 4-H, Camp Fire Girls, band, and her church youth group. She attended Oregon State College starting in 1963 and, through summer courses, earned her degree in December 1966.
Mary Lou and James Long met growing up just blocks apart in Philomath. They married on January 21, 1967, while James was serving in the U.S. Navy. After his discharge, they lived in Lakewood, California, where she worked at Bethlehem Steel and James became a traffic signal technician. Their daughter Sandy was born in 1970, and son Wayne in 1973.
In 1975, they moved to Medford, Oregon, where Mary Lou volunteered in church, founded a 4-H club, and later worked as a bookkeeper. In 1990, she and Wayne spent two weeks in China smuggling Bibles with Open Doors — a mission she treasured. Over the years, Mary Lou and James lived in Tillamook, Salem, and Kelso, Washington. In 2013, they settled at Friendsview Retirement Community in Newberg, Oregon.
They were also active members of Volunteers on Wheels (VOW), traveling in their camper to serve Christian ministries across the country from 2002 to 2022. Mary Lou’s quiet faith was her foundation. She found deep comfort in scriptures about sparrows and wings, especially Matthew 10:31, Luke 12:6–7, and Psalm 17:8. She loved family history and passed down heirlooms with handwritten labels and stories. Her homemade sugar cookies, crocheted blankets, and thoughtful cards were a part of every family milestone.
Wayne’s favorite memory is attending the 4-H State Fair with his mom each year. Sandy remembers magical summers full of camps, fairs, swim lessons, gardening, and library trips — all made possible by Mary Lou’s care and planning. For her 80th birthday, Mary Lou visited Mission Aviation Fellowship, an organization she deeply admired. Just a month before her passing, she met her newest great-grandchild and celebrated with a steak dinner.
Mary Lou is survived by her husband of 58 years, James Long; her children Sandy (Long) Moffet and Wayne Long; grandchildren Caryssa (Moffet) Grundeis, Trevor Moffet, Makayla Moffet, Damian Moffet, Olivia Long, and Thomas Long.
A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 15 at McHenry Funeral Home (206 NW Fifth St., Corvallis).