Helen Longwill

LONGWILL, HELEN -- Memorial services will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 3, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church for Helen M. Longwill who passed away on March 31, 2009 at Casa Maria Nursing Center after a long illness. She was 90 years old. Dr. Hugh Burroughs of First Presbyterian Church will officiate.

Helen was born on November 16, 1918 to Roma J. and James C. Miller in Clovis, NM. She graduated from Clovis High School and attended New Mexico Normal University in Las Vegas, NM for one year. She moved back to Clovis and worked for the Selective Service and the Soil Conservation Service.

Helen married the love of her life, Merrill W. Longwill, on September 1, 1942 in Portland, Oregon. They were married for 67 years. While he went to the South Pacific to fight in World War II, she was the secretary to the Base Commander at Cannon Air Base. After the War she and Merrill lived briefly in Florida, Clovis and Raton. They made Roswell their home in 1957 and raised their three boys here. She loved to spend weekends with her family at their apple farm in Hondo.

Helen was a homemaker and a secretary for the Roswell Independent School District. She was active in the First Presbyterian Church, serving in the choir, Sunday School and Womens Association. She joined the P.E.O. in 1958; served in many offices, was President and attended many State conventions. Helen loved to play bridge and enjoyed her garden. She was a great cook; her peach cobbler is legendary.

Survivors include her husband, Merrill, of Roswell; her three sons, Bob Longwill and his wife Bonnie of San Patricio; Bill Longwill and his wife Michelle of Fountain Hills, Arizona; Tom Longwill of Roswell, one brother, James M. Bud Miller of Clovis, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico, 200 N. Lea St., Roswell, NM 88201.

Friends may pay their respects on line at www.lagronefuneralchapels.com

Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel.

Service