Kimberly Gaye Long Stellato

May 15, 1968 - June 1, 2021

Kimberly Gaye Long Stellato 5/15/1968-6/01/2021 – “Our hearts are shattered” Kim lost her two week complicated battle with sepsis, pneumonia, multi-organ failure at a Long Island hospital on June 1, 2021. Tragically, the COVID lockdown impacted her illness, diagnosis and care. She was a Babylon Village resident, born in Tallahassee FL, formerly also of Spring Hill and Gainesville FL, as well as New Brunswick, NJ. She is survived by her loving, devoted husband Damon F. Stellato and their kitten “Lucy”, of Babylon Village. Deeply grieving family includes parents Julie Stein Long & Randy Long of Weeki Wachee, FL (formerly of Babylon Village); brother Jonathan Long (Jaime) and nieces Noelle, Carly Long of PA; maternal uncle John Stein (Beth) of Nashville TN with cousin Tyler; paternal uncle Michael S. Long, Sr. (Joyce) of Nokomis FL with cousins Nikole Long Curry, M. Stephen Long, Jr. and families; paternal aunt Deborah Long Martin (John) of Gainesville FL with cousins Adelise Ray, Mary Alice Hunt and families; paternal aunt Sandra Long Fisher (David) of Jacksonville, with cousins Cody Townes, Carly Bledsoe, Sophie Truex and families. Kim was predeceased by her paternal grandparents Mary Smith Long and A.O. Long, Jr., as well as maternal grandparents Dr. Benjamin and Margaret Bruce Stein, all of Sarasota FL. In addition, Kim is predeceased by her maternal aunt Kathleen E. Stein of Manhattan, NY. As a baby, Kim was baptized at Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota FL. She was later confirmed at Babylon United Methodist Church. Kim was a 1986 graduate of Babylon Junior-Senior High School where she received multiple scholastic art awards. With the generous help of community friends her senior year, she was able to also attend “Saturday Live at F.I.T.” (Fashion Institute of Technology) in Manhattan. In 1985 she won the (NYSSSA) “New York State Summer School of the Arts Award,” with prize of Visual Arts study at SUNY Fredonia summer school. Kim always said that summer was a landmark in her life. ”Not only did I learn a great deal of art skills, but also learned about myself …and improved my relationships’ knowledge. It was a magic time in my life.” In 1986 Kim was admitted to Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers in New Brunswick, NJ. With a few twists and turns in following years, she graduated from Rutgers College, with a BA in Visual Arts. Subsequently, she earned her Master’s degree, with dual certifications in Art and Elementary Education, at Dowling College. Kim found joy in teaching art to young students in Hernando County Schools in FL, and NY, especially ArtSea Studio in Babylon. She had such sparkle, light and energy. Her laugh was famous and infectious. She touched many children with learning, improving their lives- through art. It has been said “The Lord acted through Kim’s unconditional love for her students. Teaching children art was her ministry.” Thus, Kim’s legacy and light lives on in the children she loved, taught, and encouraged in so many ways. There will be a memorial service for Kim: Saturday July 31, 2021 at 2 pm. in Sarasota FL - Church of The Redeemer – Chapel and Rose Garden. An early fall memorial gathering in Babylon is being planned. In lieu of flowers, the family requests in Kim’s name – donations for student scholarships to ArtSea Studio, 65 Deer Park Ave, Babylon NY 11702; donations may also be sent to North Shore Animal League Pt. Washington NY, or your local Humane Society.