Marilyn Annette Long

Marilyn Annette Long (nee Duffy), age 88, of Mt. Juliet, went home to be with the Lord on July 7, 2026. Born to Robert and Florence Duffy in the Chicago, Illinois area, Marilyn embraced life with the rich cultural heritage of her Norwegian mother and Irish father. A graduate of Morgan Park High School, her lifelong love of music began as she lent her voice to the school and church choirs.

In 1955, Marilyn married her high school sweetheart, Art. Together, they raised three wonderful daughters in the Chicago area. Although Marilyn and Art eventually separated, they maintained a lasting friendship and shared love for their girls until his passing. Marilyn had many passions, though perhaps none as great as her dedication to her family, her faith and an enthusiastic love for animals. An avid antique collector, her life was marked by compassion, generosity, and good humor in all she did. Marilyn's working years were spent in veterinary hospitals, ultimately retiring as a rehabilitation counselor, and then relocating to Tennessee to be near family and help raise her youngest grandchild, “Baby Danielle.” Her gentle spirit was balanced by her immeasurable strength and sassy humor; if you met Marilyn even once, you could count her as a lifelong friend, because she never met a stranger. Her deep love for her family, many friends, and beloved pets defined her, and her absence will be profoundly felt by all who knew her.

Marilyn is survived by her brother, Roger Duffy; her daughters Sandra (Jack) Brown-Rasar, Juli Morando, Sharon Ceragioli; her grandchildren, Jason (Mattea) Brown, Kristin (Walt) Gaskin, and Danielle (Judd) Walden; and great-grandchildren, Savannah Gaskin & Micah Walden. She is also survived by nieces and a nephew: Janet, Karen, Lisa, and Mark.

Marilyn is preceded in death by parents Florence and Robert Duffy, brothers, Chuck Duffy and Paul Duffy, her former husband Art Long, her sister-in-law Dianne Duffy, and beloved nieces and nephews.

Although Marilyn requested that no formal services be held, the family encourages everyone to celebrate her life in personally meaningful ways, and to carry on her legacy of generosity and compassion by caring for each other. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Mt. Juliet Animal Shelter or the SPCA of Wake County, NC (spcawake.org).

While we mourn her absence here on earth, we take solace in knowing that she is now rejoicing in heaven with her Savior and so many loved ones, including her cherished pets. Marilyn’s legacy of kindness and love will forever remain in our hearts until we see her again.

Bond Memorial Chapel, N. Mt. Juliet Road and Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN. (615)773-2663. Obit Line (615)641-2663, www.bondmemorial.com