Sheila Marie (née Kelly) Long

Sheila Marie Long (née Kelly) was born on November 3, 1938, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to Thomas and Mary Kelly (Byrne). She passed away peacefully on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2025, at the age of 86.
Sheila was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David Long, and her son, Desmond David Long. She is survived by her son, John (Joleen) Long, grandchildren Brianna Long, Bridget Long, Isabella Long, and great-grandson Leon.

Sheila attended high school at St. Joseph’s Academy (Class of 1956) before earning her B.A. in Education from St. Catherine University in 1959. Early in her teaching career, Sheila served as an elementary school teacher at the “Deutsch-Amerikanische Gemeinschaftsschule” (German-American Community School, now named the John F. Kennedy School) in Berlin, Germany, where she taught the children of American troops serving in Berlin during the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Sheila had many tales of her travels during this time, from watching snow fall on Christmas Eve in Rome outside of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, to taking the trans-siberian train into the then Soviet Union, to getting her hair done at a salon right next to checkpoint charlie.  When Sheila returned to teaching in St. Paul, she met David Long at an Irish American Club meeting at O’Gara’s Bar and Grill in St. Paul. They were married at St. Pascal’s Catholic Church on April 16, 1966, and were blessed with two sons. A lifelong resident of Saint Paul, Sheila was deeply connected to her community and was known for her warmth, faith, and dedication to family and friends. She had a lifelong passion for teaching, sharing her love of children and learning with countless families as a devoted teacher and neighbor. Sheila believed deeply in caring for others and enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, often visiting over Irish breakfast tea and pound cake — a tradition that reflected her gracious and welcoming spirit.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, 239 Selby Ave. on May 9, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Visitation will take place prior to the Mass, beginning at 10:00 AM in the Cathedral rotunda. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Sheila's family wishes to thank the caregivers and friends who provided support and comfort in her final days. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Little Sisters of The Poor St. Paul 330 Exchange Street South ,St. Paul, MN 55102-2311. O'Halloran & Murphy 651-698-0796