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  1. My condolences for the lost of one amazing woman and soul. I had the pleasure of teaching her water aerobics at the YMCA. So many great memories and laughs we shared.- and her hugs truly were the best, even when you were soaking wet. Much love and light to her family and friends

  2. Chuck has said it all so nicely… Carol was a one of a kind gem. A heart of gold and truly fun person. I still remember her charming a Parisian waiter on a trip to France. If someone was rude, she showered them with kindness and they fell under her spell.

  3. I had the privilege of calling Carol my Aunt. She was the kindest, most genuine and gentle soul. I will cherish my many childhood memories with her and my heart goes out to the Kohler and Long family.

  4. I knew and loved Carol from our involvement in Dance for Parkinsons, which was a truly remarkable group of people. We especially bonded over her wit and love of chocolate. To her and her family,” Well done, thou good and faithful servants.” Grace and peace.

  5. Dear Long and Kohler families– Extending sincerest condolences and deepest sympathies for Carol’s passing. Her obituary was picked up by our university communications team and brought to my attention. Reading about her nursing career prompted admiration of her representing Seattle University Nursing across the variety of roles and areas of specialty practice she worked in. While of course not personally knowing her, the account of her life helped me imagine the kind of special person that she was. On behalf of Seattle University, know that I will personally offer up a prayer for the repose of Carol’s soul during an upcoming mass at the Chapel of St. Ignatius on our campus. Wishing you all peace.

  6. Chuck and family, am so sad for your (our) loss of Carol. These are difficult times. I wish I could be there to hug and comfort you all. The words escape me but I have much feelings of peace for her. Her soul is free now can look upon us as we make our journeys in this life. May she rest in peace and be remembered by all of us and those she touched with her love, grace, and kindness. Love always, peg

  7. Our love and prayers for you Carol. You are a loving person to us all. The angels are moving their wings for you 😘🙃😊

  8. I’m saying Goodbye to my good friend, Carol. I know you’re up there and in heaven with my son Bradley. Because you’re a worse such as wonderful human being. I’m going to miss you. I would have been there for your service but I had back surgery.

  9. I’m saying Goodbye to my good friend, Carol. I know you’re up there and in heaven with my son Bradley. Because you’re a was such as wonderful human being. I’m going to miss you. I would have been there for your service but I had back surgery.

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Carol Ellen Long

September 10, 2025

Carol Ellen (Kohler) Long, 77, of Southern Shores, North Carolina, passed away September 10, 2025, due to complications of Parkinson’s disease. Born to Capt. Karl B. and Marie Kohler, in New Haven, Connecticut, Carol was raised in a number of colorful places, including Washington DC, Maine, England, Hawaii, and Alaska, all of which gave her a broad view of the world.

Wishing at a young age to become a nurse, she graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Seattle University. From there, Carol went on to wear many hats. She was a Navy nurse for a few years helping to care for medical evacuees from the Vietnam conflict. After that, she worked in intensive care, then as a ward nurse, occupational safety nurse, office nurse, and, for many years, in a nursing home as charge nurse for its Alzheimer’s wing. During that time, she took a break for several months to work as a hospice volunteer for Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India. Upon retiring, she had great fun working as a docent for the Whalehead Preservation Trust in Corolla, North Carolina.

Carol is survived by her husband Charles Long of the home; son Patrick Long of Washington DC; son Colby Long, dear daughter-in-law Shannon Long, and sweet granddaughter Darby Long, all of Apex, North Carolina; three sisters, who, with Carol, have been known as ‘the witches’: Barbara Hill of Naknek, Alaska; Mary Carter ( husband Michael), of Anchorage, Alaska; Sally Croall (husband Stephen) of Dumfries, Virginia; a fourth sister, Judy Kohler, of Southbury, Connecticut; two brothers: Karl S. Kohler and Paul J. Kohler, both of New London, Connecticut; and nearly innumerable nieces and nephews.

Carol was highly personable and well-liked by (mostly) everyone she met, from the scissors-wielding lady in the wheelchair who chased her around the Alzheimer’s ward, to the likes of Buzz Aldrin and Chuck Yeager when she acted as greeter in 2003 for the First Flight Centennial celebration in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, and everyone in between and among. She was straight-up honest (except when it came to chocolate), and quite forthright, especially when her husband’s baking experiments were not up to snuff.

She was, if anything, kind and caring. However, her upbringing as a naval officer’s daughter enabled her to be alarmingly ladylike (proper and tactful; pure Emily Post) when the occasion called for it, and yet her Irish genes endowed her with a frightfully wicked sense of humor, which was much appreciated in the rare times when she turned it loose. She will be missed. Her body may be absent, but her spirit lives on in all whom she has touched.

There will be a Catholic Funeral Communion Service at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church (301 W. Kitty Hawk Rd, Kitty Hawk) at 11 AM on Friday September 19, 2025.  Friends may view one hour prior to the service and join the family at a reception afterwards in the church fellowship hall.  Friends and family may also view Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 5 PM to 7 PM at Gallop Funeral Services, Nags Head Chapel (6917 S. Croatan Hwy, Nags Head). Following the funeral, Carol’s personal directives for cremation will be honored.  In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Carol might consider contributing to the Parkinson’s Foundation at parkinson.org or, in keeping with Carol’s character, simply hug those who are near and be kind to all. Please share expressions of sympathy with the family at www.gallopfuneralservices.com

Condolences

Mandy Earnest

My condolences for the lost of one amazing woman and soul. I had the pleasure of teaching her water aerobics at the YMCA. So many great memories and laughs we shared.- and her hugs truly were the best, even when you were soaking wet. Much love and light to her family and friends

Mary and Mike Carter

Carol ... your sister Mary loved you dearly me too brother-in-law Mike Until we meet again!

Bob and Gerry Arbios

Chuck has said it all so nicely… Carol was a one of a kind gem. A heart of gold and truly fun person. I still remember her charming a Parisian waiter on a trip to France. If someone was rude, she showered them with kindness and they fell under her spell.

Ashley Malone

I had the privilege of calling Carol my Aunt. She was the kindest, most genuine and gentle soul. I will cherish my many childhood memories with her and my heart goes out to the Kohler and Long family.

Roberta Graves

I knew and loved Carol from our involvement in Dance for Parkinsons, which was a truly remarkable group of people. We especially bonded over her wit and love of chocolate. To her and her family," Well done, thou good and faithful servants." Grace and peace.

Rita Carson

A beautiful soul with a wonderful wry sense of humor and a kind and thoughtful heart.

Butch de Castro, Dean of College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Seattle University

Dear Long and Kohler families-- Extending sincerest condolences and deepest sympathies for Carol's passing. Her obituary was picked up by our university communications team and brought to my attention. Reading about her nursing career prompted admiration of her representing Seattle University Nursing across the variety of roles and areas of specialty practice she worked in. While of course not personally knowing her, the account of her life helped me imagine the kind of special person that she was. On behalf of Seattle University, know that I will personally offer up a prayer for the repose of Carol's soul during an upcoming mass at the Chapel of St. Ignatius on our campus. Wishing you all peace.

Peggy

Chuck and family, am so sad for your (our) loss of Carol. These are difficult times. I wish I could be there to hug and comfort you all. The words escape me but I have much feelings of peace for her. Her soul is free now can look upon us as we make our journeys in this life. May she rest in peace and be remembered by all of us and those she touched with her love, grace, and kindness. Love always, peg

Karen & Francis Michaud

Our love and prayers for you Carol. You are a loving person to us all. The angels are moving their wings for you 😘🙃😊

Donna Medeiros

I'm saying Goodbye to my good friend, Carol. I know you're up there and in heaven with my son Bradley. Because you're a worse such as wonderful human being. I'm going to miss you. I would have been there for your service but I had back surgery.

Donna Medeiros

I'm saying Goodbye to my good friend, Carol. I know you're up there and in heaven with my son Bradley. Because you're a was such as wonderful human being. I'm going to miss you. I would have been there for your service but I had back surgery.