Mary Ann (Crocker) Longman

NEWTON, Mass. -Retired educator Mary Ann (Crocker) Longman, 90, formerly of Sandy Point Farms, Portsmouth, RI, died Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at Lasell House in Newton, MA. She passed away peacefully. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Cdr. Richard D. Longman (USN, retired).
Born in Studio City, CA on September 11, 1931, she was the daughter of Vernon and Sadie Crocker.
Mary Longman graduated from UCLA in 1953 and began a long career as an elementary school teacher. She later earned a Master’s Degree in Education and remained dedicated to the teaching profession until her retirement in 1986. Mary was active in the American Association of University Women, a group dedicated to advancing gender equity for women and girls through education, research and advocacy. She was a past president of the Rhode Island chapter of AAUW.
On September 19, 1954, she married naval officer Richard (“Dick”) Longman and began a life defined in part by both national and international travel. After marrying in Yokosuka, Japan, Mary and her husband lived for several years in Rome, Italy, where their two sons were born. After returning to the United States, the family settled in Newport, Rhode Island where their daughter was born.
In the 1970s, Mary and her husband built a home at Sandy Point Farm in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. They developed a close group of neighborhood friends with whom they often travelled after retirement. Destinations included the UK, France, Italy, Greece, Russia, the Caribbean and South America.
Mary is predeceased by her brother, Vernon Crocker, and her sister, Betty Moore. She also leaves two sons, Christopher J. Longman Esq. of Williston Park, NY, and Richard C. Longman Esq. of San Diego, CA; a daughter, Tracie L. Longman Esq. of Newton, MA; and three grandsons and two granddaughters. Extended members of the family include Thuy Lam of West Palm Beach, FL; Mary Lam-Rodrigues of Oxford, MS; and Virginia Lam Abrams of Brooklyn, NY. Mary was greatly loved by her family and friends, and will be remembered for her love of learning and travel, wonderful cooking, and joy for life.
A private memorial will be held at a later date.