Anita Long

Anita Anne Long (nee Pritchard), passed away, surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Beloved wife of the late David R. Long.  Loving mother of David (Cindy), Heather Hafner (Frank) and Melissa Dolson (Scott) as well as the joy of her life, grandchildren: Hannah, Zachary and Nathaniel Long; Emilie Hafner; and Samuel, Aiden and Peyton Dolson.

Anita was born on February 2, 1947, in Albion, NY to her parents, Lena and Gilbert Pritchard.  She was the oldest of three children and from an early age was responsible for helping to raise her siblings, Gil and Lynne. Anita started her schooling a year early.  She was a diligent student and excelled at many things throughout her school career. She was the President of Student Council, was named Prom Queen, worked on the school newspaper and was a member of many other clubs. She ultimately graduated high school at 17.

During her high school career, she met Dave, the love of her life.  Though he was four years her senior, they dated on and off throughout high school and married in 1965, while Anita attended SUNY Brockport to obtain her teaching degree.  They began their married life in Albion, NY on Dave’s family farm. Anita continued her college education and completed her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in three years.

Shortly after graduating, Anita and Dave welcomed their first child, David.  After a few years on the farm, Anita and Dave moved to Columbus, OH so Dave could complete his higher education degrees.  Anita worked to support their family and loved decorating their little rental home. It was in Columbus, that Anita and Dave welcomed their second child, Heather.  Upon completion of his degrees, Anita and Dave moved to Washington, D.C. so Dave could take a job with the Department of Agriculture.  Anita and Dave welcomed their second daughter, Melissa, while in DC.

Dave’s career took Anita and the kids to several different cities over the years including Bloomington, IL, St. Louis, Missouri and ultimately Davis, CA; a small college town outside of Sacramento. Throughout their married life, Anita was a volunteer extraordinaire.  She was on many different school boards, President of the PTO, was a celebrated member of AAUW and much more. She met so many dear, lifelong friends through these different groups. The memberships, volunteering and especially her friends, brought her great joy.

It was after the move to Davis, where Anita found her second career, one that she truly loved.  Anita opened a small consignment and antique store in Woodland, CA called The House Dresser. Anita truly came into her own with The House Dresser.  She eventually bought a historic building on Main Street in Woodland to house her business and over the course of 30 years, her store became an enormous part of the Woodland community including winning “The Best Antique Store” in northern CA many times.  Anita leveraged her small business owner status to become involved in the town of Woodland; spearheading many town events to bring in more tourism and create a greater sense of community. She met some wonderful friends through her work and enjoyed every moment of her second career.

No matter where Anita and Dave lived, she always created a warm and inviting home for their friends, their children and the friends of their children. On numerous occasions, she opened the family home to those who needed a place to stay temporarily, including Oscar, our Spanish exchange student who became a member of our family.

Anita spent her small amount of free time gardening and enjoyed being a member of a book club.  Though her greatest joy was always her grandchildren. Anita and Dave took their grandchildren for two weeks each summer to different parts of the West and other areas of the country. Every trip had an element of learning and always lots of fun.  She was very proud as she watched her oldest grandchildren grow into adults and delighted in spending time with her younger grandchildren after her retirement and move back to St. Louis to be near her family.

Anita was a formidable person: intelligent, strong, loving, a wonderful cook, always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and a truly graceful and stellar hostess. She is survived by her children, her grandchildren, her siblings Lynne and Gil (Christine) her brothers-in-law Frank and John (Loretta), numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband Dave, her parents Lena and Gilbert, her parents-in-law Hannah and Frank, her brother-in-law Daniel, sister-in-law Patricia and many friends. She will be missed greatly.

If you wish to sign the virtual guest book for Anita, please visithttps://www.schrader.com/obituary/anita-long-nee-pritchard

The family will hold a graveside service at a time to be determined later.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Anita to:

The Michael J. Fox Foundation give.michaeljfox.org

Shriners Children’s Hospital Northern California donate.shrinerschildrens.org

BJC Hospice www.foundationbarnesjewish.org/Give-Hospice

Albion HS Alumni Foundation
PO Box 345
Albion NY 14411
Memo: Long Family Scholarship