Debra Long Obituary

Debra A Long, née Hooyman, of Midland Park, was born on February 4, 1957, to John and Geraldine Hooyman. Growing up in Rochelle Park, where she was surrounded by nearby aunts, uncles and cousins, Debbie learned a love of God, church, family, arts and crafts, and 70's disco music. As the oldest of four, Debbie was loved and looked up to by her younger siblings as a role model, teacher, and sometimes caretaker.
In 1975, Debbie attended Bergen Community College earning her associates degree in dental hygiene. She began work at the dental office of Dr. Ralph Baines in 1977, in Clifton. She continued her career at Clifton Dental Arts up until last year. Debbie met her husband, Dwight, in New Hampshire while she was waitressing at the Seminole Point Lodge on Lake Sunapee for the summer, and he was on vacation with his family. They dated for 2 years and were married on June 16, 1979. Debbie and Dwight went on to adopt 3 children. Adam joined the family in 1987, Ashleigh in 1991, and Julissa in 2007. In 1998, Debbie was looking to give back and decided to begin interim care for infants. Over the years, Dwight and Debbie cared for over 80 babies.
Debbie loved spending time with her family and taking them on different adventures. Whether that be a trip up to Schroon Lake, where her parents had a vacation home on the lake, a trip to a museum, a day in the city, or many other day trips and vacations. She was always very involved in the lives of her children: as a class mom in school, a chaperone in many church programs, and participating in countless other activities, many times responsible for arts and crafts. Debbie was a very creative person who had a love of sewing and using her creative talents to give back.
Debbie died on April 14, 2022 at the age of 65 after a long battle with breast cancer. She was predeceased by her loving mother Geraldine. She is survived by her husband Dwight, her children Adam, Ashleigh, and Julissa, her father John, and her siblings, Diane, Glenn, and Gary, and their respective families.
Visitation and celebration of life will be Saturday, April 23, 2022 at the West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ. The Long family will receive friends and family 9:30 until 11:00, followed by her celebration of life at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Debra's name to the National Breast Cancer Foundation or the American Cancer Society.
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