R. Nell Longfellow

R. Nell Longfellow left this earth to be reunited with her husband, W (Will). C. Longfellow Jr., and her Lord God on the evening of April 21st, 2015. Nell lived each day to the fullest, even in her weakest days. She believed each day should start by getting out of bed, turning around and making the bed before the day began (sometimes with Will still in it). She was a fastidious housekeeper and it was one of her passions in life. She also believed a bath could always make a person feel better no matter how sick they were. Nell was born in Sonora, Kentucky on March 28, 1924. She was the youngest of 6 children. She was preceded in death by her husband Will, her brother Emmet Brawner, and her sisters Eunice Boyles, Mae Ellen Shaw, Francis Marks, and Margaret Lee Brawner. In 1940 Nell traveled to Hoopeston Illinois to visit her brother and she met W. (Will) C. Longfellow. They were married in 1941, and they had three children-Kay (Michael) Frazier, Nancy (Gary) Erickson, and Jonathon (Kelly) Longfellow. They were blessed with 7 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren. Nell and Will resided in Hoopeston until 2000, when they moved to Liberty Village in Danville, and then built their own home in 2001. Nell retired after over 30 years as a cosmetologist. She also enjoyed painting and traveling. Family pictures was one of her passions, and she enjoyed displaying them all around the house and showing them to her guests. Until her health began to fail and her childrens families began getting larger and moving farther away family holidays were joyous occasions with much food, laughter, and our own family "Pigeon Award" was awarded at family Christmas gatherings Nell loved to travel and was able to visit Hawaii multiple times, traveled to Australia, England, France, Germany and the Netherlands. She was able to take several cruises to the Caribbean, and she also traveled to many of our 50 states. Her grandchildren especially remember all of her bedtime stories that she would make up as she went along. Special thanks goes to Carle Hospice, especially Terri and Tracy. Also, special thanks to Jamie Lappin for the loving care she provided to Nell and her family during her illness. A celebration of Nell's life will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 3:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville. Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 PM prior to the service. Nell will be laid to rest at Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Carle Hospice. Please join Nell's family in sharing photos, videos and memories on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com