Doreen Anderson-Long

The Wise Woman’s Stone
A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said, “I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me something more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.
Author Unknown

                                                                             Obituary

A radiant soul, a relentless spirit, and a beacon of love and strength, Doreen Elizabeth Anderson Long graced this world with her presence for 47 remarkable years. On July 3, 2023, she slipped away peacefully in her sleep, leaving behind a legacy that will forever ignite the flames of inspiration in our hearts.

Born in Spanishtown, Jamaica, on November 30, 1975, Doreen brought immeasurable joy to her mother, Cherrie Blair and father, Leonard Anderson.

In 1986, she migrated to the United States with her siblings to reunite with their mother in Westbury, NY.

Doreen was a proud all-star Westbury Dragon class of 1993. She fearlessly competed in basketball, softball, track, and volleyball. Her intellectual brilliance was matched only by her insatiable curiosity. Doreen possessed an uncanny ability to amaze us all with her vast knowledge of random facts and her infectious enthusiasm for learning. Whether engaged in conversations about history, science, or art, she had an innate ability to enlighten and captivate those around her, fostering a thirst for knowledge that will forever endure.

As a professional in the fields of health and finance, Doreen exemplified excellence and dedication in her role as a Relations Management specialist. Her commitment to nurturing meaningful connections and her innate empathy enriched the lives of those she served, leaving an unforgettable impact on the countless lives she touched.

Doreen met and later married Matthew Long.  Their union produced four children.  Lukas, Ariana, Blair, and Serena. Above all, Doreen cherished her role as a mother: her legacy lives on through the light that shines in the hearts of her children, illuminating a path of love, resilience, and boundless possibilities.

She leaves behind a family who adored her beyond measure. She is survived by her mother, Cherrie Blair, her sisters: Beverly, Hope, and her brothers: Courtney, Maurice, and Hopeton. Countless nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends were blessed to have shared in Doreen's love and joy.

Though today we gather to bid farewell to our beloved dragon, we do so with a profound understanding that the fire she ignited within us will continue to burn brightly. Doreen's legacy of strength, resilience, and unwavering love will forever be a guiding light, inspiring us to embrace life's challenges with grace and courage.

As we celebrate her life, let us remember Doreen Elizabeth Anderson Long as a fierce advocate, an intellectual luminary, and a devoted mother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. May her spirit soar high and her memory endure, reminding us to kindle the flames of compassion, knowledge, and love in our own lives.