Betty Jean Chase (Wakeman) Long  Born October 7, 1928 Betty Jean Chase (Wakeman) Long formerly of Durham, CT died peacefully at the age of 97 in Middletown on April 29, 2026. A remarkable woman, she was born in Brooklyn NY, the daughter of Clemence and Ethel Chase. A graduate of Baldwin High School on Long Island, she went on to Mount Holyoke College, earning a BA in History in 1950. Marrying her collegiate sweetheart, Alfred W. Wakeman, that winter, they started a family in Nichols and later Newtown, CT, before moving to Durham, CT in 1959.  There Betty became active in various civic organizations while raising her family and helping her husband run his design business. She had active roles in the PTA, Board of Education, Board of Finance (1967-1976), the Democratic Town Committee, and was elected the first woman to the Board of Selectmen (1976-1979).  Her interest in people and other cultures led her to have an instrumental role in the regional American Field Service which brought foreign exchange students to live with local families, broadening cultural awareness across the world. Later she traveled to Thailand to visit her AFS son, Suriyong Vorapittayaporn. She spent a sabbatical year in Sweden learning the language of her grandchildren, once took a solo trip across this country, had a brief period as a motorcyclist, and many other wonderful experiences. A great believer in life long education, she earned her teaching certificate from Southern Connecticut State University and became a much-loved math teacher in the Wallingford school district for nearly 20 years. After retirement she continued to use her math expertise working as a tax preparer for more than 15 years. In 1988 she married her second husband, a dear friend from her youth, John C Long. She and John traveled extensively - to all of the National Parks, 50 states, up the Amazon river, throughout the Caribbean and Europe, to Russia and more.  Betty loved life and had a willfully optimistic attitude to the end. She had an ebullient spirit and an open, curious and keen mind which made her many dear friends throughout her long life - particularly if you were smart and interesting! She loved family most of all and was always up for dancing, reading, day hikes, swimming, sailing, good food, card games and conversation - especially when dispensing great advice.  Predeceased by her beloved parents, brothers Frank and Clem Chase, two husbands, and grandson, Jim Grälls; she is survived by her three children Peter (Laura) Wakeman of Dillon, MT, Laurel Wakeman of Uppsala, Sweden, and Katharine (John) Forline of Durham, CT. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Sally Wakeman of New York, NY, Adeline Wakeman of Missoula,MT, Jenny (Ville) Sundbom  of Uppsala, Sweden, Jacob Forline of Pensacola, FL, Annalee (Jen Hahn) Forline of Baltimore, MD and her great grandchildren Elliot, Miranda and Isabelle also of Uppsala. She is also survived by the love that carries on in her extended family of stepchildren, nieces and nephews. There will be two opportunities to honor Betty. A simple graveside service and interment will be held at the Middletown State Veteran’s Cemetery at 317 Bow Lane, Middletown, CT at 10:00 am on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Memorial donations may be made to The Church of the Holy Trinity or to the charity of your choice. A later full celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 381 Main Street, Middletown, CT with a reception to follow. This second gathering is to allow time for her family to gather from far off places. Further details about the latter event will be circulated by the family as the date approaches.  We will always remember her cheerfully saying, “take care of each other” as she left for an adventure, so let us all do just that in her memory.   To share memories or send condolences to the family please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.