Dede Long, 65, stalwart at Briar Bush Nature Center
Dede Long, 65, past director of the Briar Bush Nature Center in Abington, who while leading nature hikes taught children to look under rocks for salamanders and not to disturb the fox kits nestled in their den near the trail, has died.
Dede Long, 65, past director of the Briar Bush Nature Center in Abington, who while leading nature hikes taught children to look under rocks for salamanders and
not
to disturb the fox kits nestled in their den near the trail, has died.
After fighting cancer for 11 years, Ms. Long died Saturday, April 23, at the retirement home she shared with her husband, Gary Peil, on St. Simons Island, Ga.
As word of her passing spread north, the center reacted with a statement on its website. "She made everyone around her feel special. She loved life, and she lived it fully and with great joy," the tribute said.
A tall, striking woman who wore long, colorful skirts even while leading nature walks, Ms. Long began her career as the nonprofit center's sole naturalist and environmental educator in 1979.
"The long skirts are just my style," she told the Bulletin in a story Aug. 28, 1979. "Besides, they're comfortable and great protection against poison ivy and bugs."
Briar Bush became her life's work for the next 31 years. Her mission, she told colleagues, was to instill in others the same love she felt for nature. Many area children still eagerly await summer day camp at the 12-acre property on Edge Hill Road.
During her tenure, the center acquired land and grew. A cottage was converted into a bird observatory, and the main building became home to live animal exhibits and an ambitious array of programs on topics such as eco-friendly living. Ms. Long lived in another cottage on the grounds.
When she retired to St. Simons Island in 2010, "an entire community mourned losing this force of nature," the center said in its tribute.
Ms. Long was active in various organizations, including the Association for Conservation Executives, which she cofounded, and the Association for Nature Center Administrators (ANCA).
When Ms. Long was awarded the ANCA Nature Center Leadership Award in 2015, her friend and colleague Monica Embery said: "To me, Dede Long is the embodiment of life and nature. She has lived what she learned and practiced what she preached. She has embraced life and environmental education to the fullest, and I don't know how she could possibly have given back any more, professionally or personally."
She also volunteered with the Rotary Club of Jenkintown, Abington Community Taskforce, Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, and the Abington School District.
Ms. Long was born in Fresno, Calif., and spent her first eight years there before moving overseas. Her father was a teacher, changing assignments every two years. The family lived in Guam, Japan, Germany, and Puerto Rico.
She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a master's degree from California State University, Hayward.
She came to Pennsylvania to be near her sister, Donna Long.
On July 28, 1979, Ms. Long married John Messa, former head of Lower Merion Township's Health Department. They had two daughters before divorcing.
Besides her husband, former husband, and sister, she is survived by her father, Duane Long; daughters Alani Messa and Tara Messa; a stepdaughter, Danielle Donovan; and six step-grandchildren.
Another sister, Dottie, and a stepdaughter, Rene Peil, died previously.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 25, at the Abington Art Center, 515 Meetinghouse Rd., Jenkintown. A 3 p.m. reception will follow at Briar Bush Nature Center, 1212 Edge Hill Rd., Abington, Pa. 19001.
Ms. Long donated her body to science. Memorial donations may be made to the nature center at the address above.
610-313-8102