Helen’s mother, Mamie, was the daughter of William H. Bundy, early druggist, banker and Marion businessman who raised his family in their large family home at 403 S. Market Street. Helen’s parents, Mamie Bundy and Edward Longbons were married in 1898 and purchased a home at 514 E. Everett where they and their daughter Helen lived out their lives. Edward Longbons was the first President of the Bank of Marion when it formed in 1937.
Helen’s grandfather William H. Bundy had a sister named Mary Elizabeth Bundy who married Charles H. Denison. The Denison’s lived on W. Main Street where the Marion Memorial Hospital was built in the 1950’s. He was also the grandfather of another William H. Bundy who served the school system as a teacher and later high school principle till his death in the mid 1960’s. The elder Bundy was also responsible for the building at 605 Public Square that served as his drug store and later would become Park’s Pharmacy, still standing today.
Helen was active in a number of Marion women’s clubs and churches and never married. She passed away March 11, 1999 and is interred with her parents at Rose Hill Cemetery.
See also, the post, Edward E. Longbons
(Data from federal census records, Marion Directories and historical data; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 06/15/2013)
About Helen and the Longbons Family Taken from Her Own Notes
The Longbons family of Marion has been a part of the community for several years now. Helen Longbons, grandfather came from England and homesteaded in Albion, Illinois. There were nine children in the family and only Helen’s father was able to get an education. He went to the Carbondale College which in those days was known as Normal School. When he graduated he came to Marion as superintendent of the schools. Helen’s Mother was a teacher in the Marion School system and they got married. Helen’s Mother’s maiden name was Bundy and her father was a druggist. For many years he operated a drug store near the Orpheum Theatre.
“My Mother was gifted and could write well. There was a time when she wrote poetry. Sometimes she would say, “They were mere jingles.” She did win a prize on her poem entitled “The Builder,” noted Ms. Longbons.
At the time the senior Mrs. Longbons belonged to the Marion Woman’s club. During a state wide contest Mrs. Longbons won a first on her poem.
Ms. Longbons said that the creative talent in the family was on the Bundy side. She had an Aunt Betty Dennison who wrote poetry too. Helen sister Belle played the violin. Helen’s brother was a lawyer with the Chicago title and trust in Chicago for many years. Her sister Elizabeth was the brilliant one. She taught chemistry in Harrisburg High School for many years and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa her senior year at the University of Illinois.
“Sister Belle was a natural musician and a very fine violinist in her day”, noted Helen, “I was always playing the piano. I went with my sister Elizabeth when she took her first piano lesson. I was to take my first piano lesson after Elizabeth’s lesson was over. The teacher, a Mr. Wykes asked me if I could play and I replied, “Sure”. So I sat down at the piano and played “Flag Day March”, my sister’s piece that I had worked out and played by memory.”
That was the beginning of a very long career playing the piano for Helen Longbons. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor of music degree in 1926 and became a private piano teacher in 1927. She is one of the few “certified piano teachers” in Southern Illinois. Through the years she has provided music for many programs and has served as pianist or organist on many occasions. She played the organ at the First Christian Church and at the First Church of Christ Scientist for over 25 years at each church.
Ms. Longbons was a pioneer in the Southern Illinois Concert Association (formerly the Community Concert Association of Carbondale), having worked for the organization and served on the board of directors since it was formed. She is a member of the Illinois State Music Teachers Association and the Music Teachers National Association and has served as vice president of the Southern Region of Music Teachers Association.
Once, Ms. Longbons befriended Howard Smart, while he was attending the University of Illinois. He never forgot her kindness and on Dec. 26, 1970, he had 100 of her former music students come to a surprise appreciation dinner at the Holiday Inn. She was quite surprised. Her former students had collected enough money to send her on a trip to Europe.
Another, student Susan E. Davis, was one of Ms. Longbons first piano students 61 years ago. Susan has sung in the choir at the First Christian Church for over 65 years and still plays the piano occasionally. She has remained friends with Ms. Longbons over the years and visits with her regularly. The two ladies shared birthday cake on Susan’s birthday, Nov. 1. Ms. Longbons sang happy birthday to Susan.
On January 15, 1980 Helen and her two sisters were honored when the Chamber of Commerce gave eight awards to “Women of Achievement”. A special award was given to the three sisters for their accomplishments through the years.
In 1928, she became a member of the Marion Business and Professional Women’s Club, often serving as committee chairperson. In 1983, Ms. Longbons was named the business and Professionals Women’s “Woman of the Year.”
“Years ago, it was more exciting serving on the committees and getting notable people to come to Marion,” said Ms. Longbons.
I remember well when I was chairman of the public affairs committee. We had Dr. Preston Bradley of Chicago, pastor of the Peoples Church in Chicago and a noted after dinner speaker, at our big Banquet on Business Women’s Week.
Other well-known persons who spoke at Marion BPW public affairs banquets were: Amelia Earhart; Judge Camille Kelly from Memphis Tenn.; Tom Collins, noted columnist from Kansas City; and Lena Madison Philips, national and international president of the BPWC.
Ms. Longbons remembers the Depression days when she would have the club at her home on East Everett Street for such affairs as the BPWC 40th anniversary celebration (A ruby tea), potluck dinners, past-presidents dinners and Christmas parties.
Offices Ms. Longbons have held include: President of the Marion BPWC in 1948; vice chairman of the district in 1949; district chairman in 1950; and state board in 1951. Through the years she has served as pianist and song leader.
The BPWC made Ms. Longbons an honorary member of their club.
Ms. Longbons has been a “Woman of the Year” to many people throughout her life. She has been giving in her time and talents, and a caring and creative force in the lives of those whom she has touched.
Friends remember her for the angel food cakes she used to bring their birthdays. This year, Barbara Bradley remember Ms. Longbons cakes and brought her a beautiful crystal rose vase with a pink rose in it when Ms. Longbons celebrated her 89th birthday, August 5, 1990.
She was a member of the Marion Women’s Club for years and served on its committees and as its pianist.
She was the first president of the Marion Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and has been active in volunteer work at the hospital. Patients at the hospital will remember her musical talents at Christmas time.
For more than 50 years, Ms. Longbons has been a member of the Marion Fortnightly Club, twice serving as president of the group.
Ms. Longbons doesn’t give piano lessons anymore, but she has her memories, former students and friends like Susan Davis and Barbara Bradley who visit with her and share their good times of days gone by.
(Written by Violet Grisham based on the writings of Helen Longbons in the 1990’s)