Tracey Lynn
Long-Harper
Long Point,
Inverness Co.
Well, darn it. If you are reading this, I guess I am on my
journey to the other side.
I was born on April 18, 1970, in Antigonish, NS and was the
youngest child of the late Emerson and Norma Long. If you know my
family, you know who my siblings are, but it would be hypocritical of
me to list them as most were not a part of my life.
Other than a few years, I
spent my life in beautiful Cape Breton with my husband of thirty-two
years, Roger Harper. I married him when I was nineteen and he was the
love of my life. Together we raised three amazing human beings who I
adored more than anything and felt beyond privileged to be their mom.
I leave behind my son, Daniel (my strong but gentle giant), his
partner, Willow and their children, Emerson, Henley and Amelia; my
son, Wade (my own private jester), his partner, Kaitlyn and their
children Delia and Haiden; and my daughter, Becca (my mini me and
voice of reason) and her partner Evan. Also left to mourn is my
brother, Steve and his wife Elizabeth; my sister, Debbie and her
children, Kalen (Jeremy) and Cohen (Maddy) who I loved like my own
children, and Taylor Williams-Ferguson (my grandson,
Emerson’s mother). Steve, Elizabeth and Debbie, your
devotion to me meant more than I can say. Kalen, you were my baby
sister and another daughter to me (so many roles). The love you all
shared with me kept me strong. I was very fortunate to have a
wonderful relationship with my Harper family. My mother-in-law, Delia
(my second mom) and Roger’s siblings, Mark (Elaine), Peter,
Kurt (Carrie) and Charlene (Robert), and their children. I kept my
circle of friends small, but I loved you and I hope you knew it. My
grandchildren were my heart and soul and I know your parents will
never let you forget me.
My parents, my brother
Gary, my nephew, James and my father-in-law, Clemmie will meet me at
those pearly gates, as they made their way there before
me.
I graduated from SAERC
high school in Port Hawkesbury and the Institute for Human Services
Education in Truro. I worked part time jobs and ran my own sewing
business over the years but providing childcare in my home was the
most fulfilling “job” that I had. I was able to love so many
children and be home with my own at the same time when they were
little. I enjoyed it long past my intended timeline, continuing until
my children were adults.
I was diagnosed with
limited systemic scleroderma in 2019 which led to many health issues.
Even though there were low times, I chose to face it with a positive
attitude and fought it fiercely. I had the best team of doctors,
nurses and others in the medical field caring for me and my story
would not be complete without thanking them. Dr. Jackson, Dr.
Hernandez, Dr. McParland and their nurse (and my sometimes counsellor,
Onna White-MacInnis at the QE II Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic. My
rheumatologist, Dr. Bakowsky, my family doctor, Dr. Marchand and her
staff, and my gals at the lab at the Strait Richmond Hospital. There
are too many to mention but every single one of you were so
kind.
So now, I am rambling,
but thank you for reading my first publication (and I guess my only).
If I have ever hurt you, I am sorry. If I made you happy, it was my
pleasure. Shed a tear if you must but I would much rather bring a
smile to your face than a tear to your eye. I do not want a wake or a
sad funeral, so I’ve left instructions with Kalen to arrange
a celebration of life at a later date and if you would like to donate
to Scleroderma Atlantic, www.sclerodermaatlantic.ca
, please do.
Funeral service is by
invitation only. Arrangements are under the care of Dennis Haverstock
Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Words of comfort may be
forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com
Catch you on
the flipside folks. Much love, xo.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Tracey Lynn Long-Harper 1970 2022..
Dennis Haverstocks funeral homes
Death notice for the town of: Port-Hawkesbury, Province: Nova Scotia