With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Josephine “Jo-Anne” Marinaro Long, a lifelong Montessori educator, teacher-trainer, mentor, and advocate whose impact spans generations of children, educators, and schools.
Jo-Anne devoted more than 40 years to Montessori education—as a classroom guide, school leader, public Montessori pioneer, and teacher-trainer—shaping the lives of countless children and inspiring educators across the Carolinas and beyond. Her work was rooted in deep respect for the child, a belief in the transformative power of Montessori, and a profound love for community.
🕊️ Funeral Services
A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Saint Peter Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC, officiated by Father Tim Stephens, SJ. A reception will follow in Benedict Hall. All who were touched by Jo-Anne’s life and work are welcome to attend.
We invite you to read and share her obituary and to hold her family, colleagues, and former students in your thoughts during this time.
Obituary:
Mrs. Josephine “Jo-Anne” Marinaro Long passed away Friday, January 2, 2026 at the Greens at Cabarrus in Concord, NC.
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Saint Peter Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC, officiated by Father Tim Stephens, SJ. Following Mass there is a reception in Benedict Hall.
Josephine Anne (also known as Jo-Anne or Jo) was born in July 1943 in Rochester, NY to Rosario (Ross) Salvatore Marinaro and Concetina (Connie) Speranza Marinaro. She was the third child of six brothers and sisters. Jo-Anne was preceded in death by her parents, her older sister, Connie Barbara Ludwig, her older brother, Vincent (Vinnie) Marinaro, and her younger brother, Ross Marinaro.
A proud graduate of Mercy High School in Rochester in 1961, Jo was elected as the school’s May Queen that same year. In addition to her wedding ring, the other jewelry item she often wore was her silver Mercy High School medal.
In the fall of 1961, Jo-Anne entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester. She spent the next 18 years as Sister Cora, SSJ, teaching in various Catholic schools around Rochester. Her last assignment as Sister Cora was as Principal of Trinity Montessori School in Rochester. She always knew that she wanted to be a teacher, sometimes telling a story from her childhood about setting up her dolls on the sidewalk and playing teacher to them.
During the years 1961-1979, Jo earned a BA from Nazareth University (Rochester, NY), an ME with a speciation in Montessori education from Notre Dame de Namur (Belmont, CA), and an Advanced Certificate in Educational Administration from SUNY Brockport (Brockport, NY). Jo held both NY and NC state teaching certificates for teaching children ages 3-6 and 6-12, gifted and talented, and school administration principalship and superintendentship. In addition, she held Montessori teaching diplomas for Primary (ages 3-6) and Elementary 1 and 2 (Ages 6-12) from the American Montessori Society (AMS). She was a Lifetime Member of AMS.
Jo-Anne was a well-known and esteemed Montessori educator. As a teacher-trainer, for over forty plus years, she trained scores of Montessori teachers, first at CMTE-NY, then CMTE-NC, and finally Lander University (Greenwood, SC).
During her years as a sister, Jo taught hundreds of children, but as she grew older, she realized that there was a deepening desire to have her own children. Once she left religious life, she married Russell Long, a longtime friend who also shared the same desire to establish a family and had a love of Montessori education. They have been blessed with two wonderful sons and two delightful grandsons.
Jo-Anne and Russ moved to Chapel Hill, NC in 1979, to teach at Chapel Hill Montessori for a year. In 1980 they moved to Greensboro, NC, where Jo served as the Head of Greensboro Montessori School (GMS), and as a teacher, from 1980-1995. Guided by her leadership, GMS grew in enrollment and staff. The first building on the current campus of GMS is dedicated to Jo-Anne and Russell.
In 1995, the family moved to Charlotte to accept positions as teachers in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) at Amay James Montessori, the first public Montessori school in North Carolina. Jo-Anne served as a teacher at Amay James Montessori, Highland Mill Montessori, and Chantilly Montessori. She retired from CMS in 2012 and began working as a Montessori consultant and facilitator in Swansea, SC and other school districts.
The Catholic Church has always been a source of faith and blessing for her. From her teenage years until recently, she taught children’s religious classes wherever she was living. She was a beloved part of St. Peter Catholic Church’s Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) program. Jo was a trained CGS catechist for Levels 1 (children ages 3-6) and 2 (children ages 6-9).
Jo loved people and she was at her best when she welcomed strangers, family and friends into her home and classroom. As one of the sons’ friends said, “I came as a guest and I left feeling part of her family.” If you were a child in her classroom, you became her child. If you were an adult learner becoming a Montessori educator, you became her colleague.
Jo-Anne is survived by her husband of 46 years, Russell Long; son Nicholas Long and wife Sheila Duffy-Long of Columbus, OH; grandsons Alex and Andrew Long of Columbus OH; son Matthew Long and fiancée Katie Palmer of Columbia, MO; sister Susan Rinaldi of Rochester, NY; sister Mary Verellen and Patrick Verellen of Pacific Grove, CA; sister-in-law Carol Marinaro of Rochester, NY; sister-in-law Russlene Waukechon and Dr. John Waukechon of Round Rock, Texas; and many nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.
Gratitude to Father Tim Stephens, SJ, and the staff at the Greens at Cabarrus in Concord for their compassion and care during Jo’s final days.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:
Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women
Attention: Alumnae Relations Department
1437 Blossom Road
Rochester, NY 14610
Wilkinson Funeral Home in Concord, NC is providing services.
What’s new with SC Montessori Alliance? We have launched our Verification Project. Click the button below to find out the latest news.
