Veronica Longo

"Art is completed by the viewer” - Marcel Duchamp

Vonnie Longo passed away at her Billings, Montana home surrounded by family, friends and caregivers on March 6, 2025. She was 76 years old. Vonnie will be missed by her family, friends and students who were touched by her talent, her many stories, her dry sense of humor, wonderful laugh, curious mind and caring nature. Her legacy of love for the arts, respect for the land and its native people will carry on through the many lives she touched throughout her career.

Vonnie was a citizen of the world. Throughout her career she experienced and respected many cultures, but none of them captured her heart quite like Montana. Her love of the “Wild West”, its art, animals, land and people - particularly Native Americans – took hold during her “tom boy” years. What started as a fascination developed into a deep connection that she carried with her to the end. As a young horsewoman of 13 she proudly rode her horse Sundance, competing in barrel races and trotting through downtown in Western Day parades. She boarded Sundance on a ranch near the airport. To pay for his board she worked. When she wasn't mucking out stalls, soaping saddles or wrangling calves at a branding, she rode. She enjoyed many years with Sundance riding under an open sky taking in the vistas and savoring the smell of the terrain after a storm. The land opened her artistic senses, and the work formed a no-nonsense character. Whining was not an option for Vonnie. Days at the Ranch, however, took a tragic turn when she was hospitalized with a severe concussion after being thrown by Sundance while herding cattle. Sundance was fatally injured in the fall. Vonnie would come to own other horses, but none measured up to Sundance.

She attended Billings Central Highschool (BCH) graduating in 1967. She was a good student and made lasting friendships. Her lifelong interest in theatre was sparked at Central. In addition to costume design, she acted - playing the part of Tituba in Aurther Miller's The Crucible, among other roles.

And she was popular - named Carnival Queen at the annual BCH fundraiser. She was a cheerleader for “The Matures” a self-styled fringe intramural mens sports team. These were funny guys, and Vonnie was always ready to join in on the fun. Undoubtedly no other intramural team had cheerleaders.

Vonnie earned a BFA degree in Fine Art along with a teaching certificate at then named Eastern Montana College. Along with her art studies she honed her skill as a costume designer for multiple EMC theatre productions. Both fields of study provided the foundation for a teaching career in the arts that literally spanned the globe. Beginning as an art instructor at the St. Labre mission school Vonnie deepened her connection with the land, her teaching and her love of Native Americans. There she met her future husband Valdo Yellow Fox. Although the marriage didn't last, their union produced a son, Seth.

In 1973 Vonnie returned to BCH, but this time as a teacher. She taught art, theatre and speech for 12 years before broadening her horizons by accepting an art instructors' position with the United States Department of Defense (DOD). Her 18-year teaching career at DOD included art, theatre, speech, and the humanities. She taught in schools on US bases in Panama, Bahrain, Germany, and South Korea.

The globetrotting ended in in late 2002 when she settled back home in Billings to live out her retirement and reconnect with family, friends and her beloved Montana.

Born Veronica Anne Longo on January 3rd, 1948, Vonnie was the first of five children born to Bernard and Nancy Longo. She is survived by her son, Seth Day Yellow Fox, her daughter-in-law, Morgan Yellow Fox, and her grandchildren, Evan, Lucy, and Jackson Yellow Fox. Brothers, Peter Longo (Sheree), Bud Longo, (Teresa), and sister, Betsy Gordon (Chris). She was preceded in death by her parents Bernard and Nancy Longo, a brother, Mark Longo and husband Valdo Yellow Fox. She is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces and their children.

The family wishes to give special thanks to the hospice care team and asks that in leu of flowers gifts be directed to Compassus hospice care.