- Date Of Birth: April 23, 1925
- Date Of Death: April 25, 2021
- State: New York
Jean Anita Long LaTour, a longtime Beacon resident, was called home peacefully by the Lord on Sunday, April 25, 2021, just two days after her 96th birthday. She was born on April 23, 1925 in Amboy, West Virginia, daughter of the late Andrew and Ruth (Ridenauer) Long. On May 15, 1949 in Morgantown, West Virginia, she married Parvin L. LaTour; he later predeceased her after 48 years of marriage on February 7, 1998. Jean graduated from West Virginia University (Morgantown) with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. She worked as a chemist at the Texaco Research Center in Glenham, NY. After her sons were grown, she received a master’s degree in counseling psychology from SUNY New Paltz and worked as a mediator. Jean was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Beacon for almost 70 years. She served as Deacon, Elder, and on the Pastor Selection Committee. When her sons were young, she was active in the PTA, serving as President at Forrestal Elementary School. She taught sewing for the Dutchess County Cooperative Extension Service and was an avid gardener who could be found working in her vegetable garden on some summer evenings after the street lights came on. Above all, her family remembers her as a loving mother who encouraged and supported her sons. Jean is survived by her two sons, Gary R. LaTour of Beacon, NY and Stephen LaTour (Pauline Houlden) of Apex, NC; her two grandchildren, Paul and Evelyn LaTour; and two great grandchildren. She is also survived by her two brothers and sister: Robert Long, Andrew Long Jr., Linda Ann Long; her two nieces, Anita and Amy Long, and a host of dear friends.
