Obituary of Edna Gonzales

Edna Ersilia Gonzales Long, 89, passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 9, 2022 with her children nearby in Albuquerque, NM.

Edna was born September 6, 1933 in Rodarte, New Mexico and grew up in Llano, NM. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Kenneth Eugene Long, her father, Gilberto Eduardo Gonzales, her mother, Esther Edisa Gonzales, her three brothers, Fares Gonzales, Areli Gonzales, and Eldridge (Max) Gonzales, and her second son, James Walter Long. Edna is survived by four children, Kennerd Guy Long and his wife Merrilou Long, Michael John Long and his wife Patricia Mae Blackwater, Bella Marie Long and her husband Mohammad Ismaeil Amirkabirian, and her fourth son James Walter Long and his wife Sheri Lynn Sanchez Long, eight grandchildren, Teah Arianna Amirkabirian, Mina Sorayah Amirkabirian, Noah Samuel Long, Jasmine Nicole Long, Lily H Blackwater-Long, Zidane VinHoskie Blackwater, Leonardo Hoskie Blackwater, Corey Ian Blackwater, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Edna used to help her father in the post office that he ran out of his home. She interacted with everyone in Llano when people came to pick up their mail, ask for documents to be translated, or just talk about the weather. She graduated from Albuquerque Menaul School in 1953 then served honorably in the US Navy where she met her husband, Ken Long. They moved to his hometown, Danville, PA, where they started a family. Edna was a dedicated mother whose life revolved around her children. Because of her guidance, every one of her children grew up to be good people who chose equally good people as their spouses. Those good qualities have been passed down to her grandchildren as well.

Edna worked for the Indian Hospital in Albuquerque in the mental health inpatient ward, then for the UNM Mental Health Center inpatient department, and finally as a Mental Health Counselor for the UNM Mental Health Outpatient Center where she touched many lives and helped people with her kindness and skills.

There will be an honors ceremony at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in the near future. Please contact the family for more information.