Kathleen “Casey” McKillip Long

November 12, 1944 – April 3, 2024. Casey Long, 79 years old, a longtime resident of Orange County - California and Phoenix - Arizona passed away on April 3, 2024 with her family at her bedside.

Casey was born on November 12, 1944 to Lyle and Kathleen McKillip in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The family soon settled in Phoenix, Arizona in 1949. She was a graduate of St. Francis Xavier Elementary and Xavier College Preparatory. She went on to study at the University of Arizona and started her professional career as a teacher working in both

Manhattan Beach and Mammoth California before ultimately moving to the Insurance Industry where she spent the rest of her professional career.

In 1978, Casey and her childhood sweetheart – Pat Long, rekindled their relationship and spent the next 40 years of their lives in California. Casey and Pat, devout Catholics, created a life based on love, respect, laughter and adventure. To see and hear Casey’s laugh from one of Pat’s jokes was to witness joy and happiness in a way that was truly special to their marriage. They loved traveling abroad, once kissing the iconic Blarney Stone in Ireland and often traveled to New York City to attend Broadway Musicals and Plays.

Upon Pat’s passing in 2018, Casey moved to Phoenix to be with her sister Jane McKillip Spannagel. In her last years, she was surrounded with the love of her niece and nephews, former work colleagues and friends that she had accumulated throughout her and Pat’s travels. Casey had a wicked sense of humor, iron sharp wit and was a rock for so many to lean on when needed.

She is survived by her sister Jane Spannagel, niece Laura Byrne and nephews John, Charles and Mathew Spannagel as well as her stepchildren Patrick Long, Megan Cassani and Molly Tepstein. Casey had eight wonderful grandchildren who showered her with love and laughter as well as eight loving great nieces and nephews.

Funeral Mass will be held at Brophy College Preparatory Chapel, 4701 N. Central Avenue in Phx, on Friday, April 26th at 3:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Vincent De Paul. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com