Agnes Gallagher Long, 88 of Leonardtown, MD, beloved wife of Edward H. Long, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 13, 2010 at St. Mary's Hospital in Leonardtown, MD. She was born Agnes Gallagher, the first of twelve children, to Thomas Jerome Gallagher, Jr. and Madelyn Bernadette Merrick, on April 4, 1922 in Ashley, PA.

During World War II, Agnes moved from her family home to work as a timekeeper in the Final Assembly Department at the Glenn L. Martin Company, an airplane manufacturer in Baltimore, MD. She quickly developed a friendship with Lois Long, who played matchmaker by introducing Agnes to her brother, Edward. This romance blossomed during their daily walks to and from work, as he, too, worked at Glenn L. Martin, in the machine shop. Agnes happily accepted Edward's marriage proposal on September 18th, and they were married February 19, 1944 in the Corpus Christi rectory, Baltimore. Edward was drafted three months later, and Agnes moved back to PA to live with her family, while he was overseas. When Edward returned, in 1946, he and Agnes settled in Leonardtown, MD, where they raised a family of six boys and three girls.

Agnes was a member of St Aloysius Parish since 1946. She had a beautiful voice, and sang in the church choir. Music played a big role in the Long household; many of us remember Agnes' and Edward's beautiful voices when they sung 'I Love You Truly' from the choir loft at their 50th anniversary celebration. Even when her nine children were young, Agnes found time for community service. She was a member of the Grey Ladies of the American Red Cross, a volunteer at St Mary's Hospital, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Cedar Lane Retirement and Assisted Living community.

Together, Agnes and Edward enjoyed years of traveling with their family throughout the United States. In later years, they visited Europe, Ireland, Great Britain, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America. For their 50th wedding anniversary, Edward and Agnes celebrated with a 30-day trip around the world.

Agnes developed a neuromuscular illness in 1999 which limited her mobility and finally confined her to a wheelchair. During the eleven years that followed, she and Edward spent many happy hours together, sharing laughs and memories. They enjoyed frequent visits from their devoted family and wide circle of dear friends from St Mary's County, and as far away as Sweden, Germany, Australia, and Hong Kong.

Agnes is survived by Edward, her devoted husband of 66 years; children Barbara (John) Sharatz, of San Diego, CA; Norman (Peggy) Long, of Oceanside, CA; Edward (Laura) Long, Jr., of Atlanta, GA; David (Marlene) Long, of California, MD; Patricia (Julian) Izydore, of Hanover, MD, Dennis (Charlotte) Long, of Mechanicsville, MD; Marsha Long Adamo, of California, MD; and Kenneth (Nancy) Long, of Silver Spring, MD. She was predeceased in 1975 by one son, John Francis (Jack). She had twenty-one grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three siblings: Catherine Ann 'Kay' Thornton (Bob), of West Pittston, PA; Rose Monica McKeown (Bob), of Wilkesbarre, PA; and Bernard Thomas Gallagher (Arlea) of Sussex, NJ. She was predeceased by three sisters, Noreen Geraldine Woolfolk (Bob), Mary Alice Koch (Fred), Florence Madelyn Cooper (Joe) and by five brothers, Thomas Jerome Gallagher III (Ceil), Robert Joseph 'Bob' Gallagher, William James Gallagher (Marjorie), Charles Edward Gallagher, and Paul Patrick Gallagher.

Agnes' family and many friends will miss her kind nature, gentle spirit, and beautiful smile.

Family will receive friends for Agnes' Life Celebration on Thursday, September 16, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 22800 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 17, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend John Dakes as the celebrant. Interment will be at a later date.

Serving as pallbearers will be Steve Raley, Brian Adamo, Jimmy Howe, Pat Diehl, Danny Burris, George Tatlow and Paul Koch.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.