Marjorie Marie Long, 95, passed away peacefully at Community Memorial Hospital on January 11, 2017, with loving family members at her side. She was a longtime resident of the Ojai Valley, having moved to Ojai from Orange County, California in 1955. She was born in Marshall, Minnesota on July 6, 1921 to Earl and Anna Blodgett, joining her older brother Arthur, who was born in 1918. The Blodgett family moved to the Sacramento area when Marjorie was three years old, where they lived on a cherry farm. Marjorie loved her years in Rio Linda, especially riding her horse, and playing the clarinet in the high school band. She graduated from Grant Union High School in 1938, and kept in close contact with her high school friends throughout her life. Marjorie attended Junior College in Sacramento and then Pomona College. She also worked for the War Department Selective Service in Sacramento.
Marjorie moved to Southern California as a young adult. During World War II, she worked briefly in an aircraft factory. She was soon hired by a Hollywood agency that worked for various Hollywood personalities, including cowboy movie stars Tex Ritter, Dick Furan, and “Wild” Bill Elliot. In 1945 she met and fell in love with Walton “Walt” Long, an Orange County citrus farmer, who was serving in the United States Navy during the War. After a brief courtship, they were married on October 12, 1945, just after the end of the War. By 1953, four children had joined the family: Jess, Janis, Johanna, and Mary. With development in Orange County crowding out farmers, Marjorie and Walt moved to Ojai, where they continued the family business of citrus farming in partnership with Walt’s brother Wilbur. They also bred and raised Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred race and show horses. Marjorie was actively involved with the family’s equestrian activities, especially her daughters’ horse showing, 4-H, and parade participation. The Long family enjoyed vacation trips in the western United States, Canada, and Mexico. In the 1980’s, Marjorie and Walt traveled extensively throughout the United States, visiting friends and many historical sites, including the battlefields of the Civil War and the Alamo. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on October 12, 2010, just a few days before Walt passed away. After lovingly raising her children, she was very involved with her grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s activities and education.
After suffering a debilitating stroke in 2006, Marjorie courageously fought to recover her skills and independence. She re-taught herself to play the piano, was greatly interested in her family’s activities, and was an avid reader. She closely followed current events, politics, and the arts. Marjorie took a special interest in watching for the wildlife that inhabited her beloved Toyon Ranch: deer, rabbits, hummingbirds, hawks, quail and bobcats. She was lovingly cared for by her children, especially Jess and Johanna.
Marjorie was devoted to her family, and we will miss her greatly. She is survived by her son, Jess Long, daughter and son-in-law Janis and Jay Nicholas, daughters Johanna Long and Mary Long, grandson Skyler Ditchfield and his wife, Lindsey, grandson Ryan Hauf and his wife Genevieve, granddaughter Amy Nicholas, grandson Travis Nicholas, nieces Misty Groth and Kathleen Lenski, great-granddaughter Kyla Ditchfield, and great-grandson Liam Hauf.
Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours to be held from 1pm to 4pm Sunday January 29, 2017 in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street Ventura CA 93001. Funeral Services will be Monday January 30, 2017 at 11am in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME, 757 E. Main Street Ventura followed by interment in Santa Barbara Cemetery, Santa Barbara at 1:30pm.