Christine Cordelle Long

Christine C. Long, born on June 10, 1957, in Newton, Iowa, to Larry Muilenberg and Carol McCarty, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2025, in Laveen, Arizona, at the age of 67.

Christine was a proud graduate of Scottsdale High School, Class of 1975. She went on to earn her degree from Arizona State University, graduating from the School of Social Work. With a deep commitment to helping others, Christine worked as a social worker for ComCare—also known as Codoma and CODAC—where she was instrumental in pioneering one of the Valley’s first dual-diagnosis clinics, providing critical support to individuals facing both mental health challenges and substance use disorders. She dedicated herself to this work until her retirement in 2000, when she relocated to the peaceful town of Strawberry, Arizona.

In Strawberry, Christine continued to live a life of service and creativity. She volunteered at the local library in Pine and participated in community arts and craft fairs, often attending painting classes and creating beautiful works of art at home. Her love for arts and crafts extended into scrapbooking, where she preserved cherished family memories in thoughtfully created albums. Christine was also an avid knitter, crafting clothing for herself, her children, and her granddaughter, as well as knitting preemie baby clothes for the Stitches from the Heart organization, offering comfort to families in need.

Christine is survived by her loving mother, Carol McCarty; her brothers and Jon (Stephany Muilenberg) Eric (Debra Muilenberg), Tom McCarty, Jr. (Debra McCarty) stepson Chet Long (GinaLong); her daughter, Erica Overton; her son, Greg Overton; and her beloved granddaughter, Taylor Overton and many nieces and nephews. She will be remembered for her compassionate heart, artistic spirit, and unwavering dedication to those she loved and served.

Christine is proceeded in death by her husband Leonard C. Long, her father Larry Muilenberg and her stepfather Thomas H. McCarty Sr.

A memorial service celebrating Christine’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018.