Kathleen Messing's Obituary
Kathleen “Kathy” Messing, 67, of Ruther Glen, formerly of Fredericksburg, Bear, Del., Lansdale, Pa., Towamencin, Pa., Horsham, Pa., and Southampton, Pa., died peacefully at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Kathy was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., to Kathleen Mayer Long and James Gibbons Long Sr. She received her degree from Gwynedd–Mercy College in Gwynedd Valley, Pa., and attended McDevitt High School in Wyncote, Pa. Due to failing health, Kathy retired from Eaton Corp. in 2013. The oldest of five children, Kathy was “big sister” to her siblings and was always there when she was needed. Always positive, she loved to sail, work in her garden, go RVing, listen to Jimmy Buffet, visit Disney World and participate in life to the fullest.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 36 years, Robert J. “Bob” Messing; her sister and brother, Mary Elizabeth L. Ganucheau and her husband, Edmond F., of Hamden, Conn., and William P. Long and his wife, Paula, of Doylestown, Pa.; and her stepmother, Barbara Long of Palm Coast, Fla. She is also survived by four nieces, Mary Elizabeth Kwenda, Kristin Ganucheau, Kathleen Long and Stephanie Long; two nephews, William Long and Edmond Ganucheau Jr.; and her great-nephew, Jon Ganucheau, all of whom she loved dearly. Not to be forgotten are her beloved Shih Tzus.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, James and Kathleen Long; her brother James Long Jr.; and her sister Teresa.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at Found and Sons Funeral Home, 10719 Courthouse Road, Fredericksburg. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday Dec. 4, at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, 1009 Stafford Ave., Fredericksburg. Interment will be at Quantico National Cemetary at 1 p.m. that same day.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at foundandsons.com.
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