Patricia “Patty” Renee Long

Patricia “Patty” Renee Long, 54, died March 9, 2012, at her home in Wasilla following a long struggle with brain cancer.

Patty was born to Charles and Edith Heard on April 28, 1957, in Rialto, Calif. She became a resident of Alaska in 1997 and an employee of the Municipality of Anchorage in 1999, where she was a senior planning technician.

Patty enjoyed arts, crafts, sewing and creating beautiful stained glass pieces. She was always willing to help a friend in need. A close friend of Patty’s once said to her mother, Edith, “Who doesn’t like Patty?”

Her father, Charles “Art” Heard preceded her in death.

Surviving are her husband, Steve Long of Wasilla; mother, Edith Heard and brother, Jim Heard of Rialto, Calif.; son, Terry Ayres of Spokane, Wash.; son, Travis Ayres, daughter-in-law Rachel Ayres, granddaughter Angulia and grandson Elijah, of Phoenix, Ariz.; and her faithful four-legged buddy, Maggie of Wasilla.

A public service was not Patty’s wish; however, those wanting to honor her memory may contribute to the cancer research organization of their choice.

Patty’s ashes will be spread over her favorite trout stream where she grew up fishing with her father.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family. Online obituary and guestbook may be visited at alaskanfuneral.com.