Madelaine Long-Janson

It is with solemn hearts that we honor our beautiful, caring, compassionate, and ever-giving sister, aunt, mother, and grandmother Madelaine "Madee" Long-Janson who passed away on March 30, 2024 after a very sudden decline in her health. Madee was only 76 years of age.

Madee was born on March 8, 1948 in Lansing, Michigan to her parents Theodore and Irene (Workman) Harris. She was the second oldest living child of 8 children. She felt strongly connected to her roots in Michigan and in California, where she lived most of her years, including where she graduated from High School. It was here that she developed a passion for cosmetology and would even be requested by her high school teachers to style their hair. Madee earned a scholarship and would have gone on to beauty school, but decided to marry her High School Sweetheart instead and started a family right away with the birth of two beautiful daughters.

Even though her first marriage ended after a few years, Madee was determined to make the best for her daughters as a single mother. She was able to find work as a black jack dealer in South Lake Tahoe (Stateline) where she was able to mingle with high rollers and celebrities. After many years passed, she met her second husband while on the job and together they had 2 more amazing children, a son and another daughter. Even though Madee always had a special connection with children and young adolescents, it was during her second marriage that she developed a passion for working with children. She volunteered in schools as an art aide, taught at her church's primary and young women program for 16 years, as well as worked nights at a youth facility for troubled girls. Her favorite thing though was helping to raise and watch grow into adulthood most of her grandchildren.

In her later years, she was able to meet and spend over a decade with her third husband, going out and doing many fun things. Madee was a social butterfly, who loved making new friends, and made an impact on so many lives. She loved shopping for her creative fashion sense, for gadgets that could make life easier, and for entertainment for her grandchildren. Her favorite color was teal and light blue which reminded her of her favorite place, South Lake Tahoe.

Madee is survived by three of her four children, Wendy Augusto (CA), Donald Long Jr (AZ), Penny (Randy) Seely (UT): 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren: her siblings Theodore "Teddy" Harris III, Beverly Alexander, Candace Murphy and many loyal friends and extended family members. Madee was predeceased by her father Theodore Harris II, mother Irene Workman Harris, daughter Bobbie Roberts, granddaughter Kimberly "Kimi" Augusto, and siblings Susan "Susie" Swango, Ramona Harris, Ronald "Ronnie" Harris, and Casey Wayne Harris.

Grandma Madee will be greatly missed by all. We know that she is living eternally with those who have preceded her in death and with our Savior Jesus Christ. Our hearts are glad that she is out of pain but saddened that she is gone too soon.

We love you Madee, until we meet again. Thank you for loving us unconditionally.