Barbara B. Little

Little, Barbara B. Of Orchard Park passed away on February 28, 2022 at the age of 86. Cherished wife of the late James Little; Beloved mother of James (Rebecca) of Chantilly VA, Allison of Minneapolis MN, Jonathan (Christine) of Orchard Park NY, the late Jeffrey Little and the late Barbara Anderson, devoted grandmother to Abigail (Aaron), Peter, Colton, Grace, Elise and the late Brandon, great-grandmother to Selah; loving daughter of the late Raymond & Julia Brown and loving sister to Agnes (Joe) Hopkins and the late Edgar "Bud" Brown. After graduating from Trenton State Teachers College in 1958, Barbara worked as an elementary school teacher in her hometown of Cranford NJ. She also tutored handicapped students and unwed mothers who were unable to attend school in the 1960s. She earned her Master Degree from Columbia University in New York City before moving to Orchard Park in 1970. She became a college professor after moving to Western NY teaching at Canisius College, Medaille College and Villa Maria College for the remainder of her career. Barbara started working on her PhD at the University of Buffalo but decided not to finish as research and publishing would have hindered her ability to work with students which was what she truly loved to do. She volunteered with elementary school students at School 18 in Buffalo for 14 years which she started while still teaching at Villa Maria College and continued into her retirement. Barbara was an organic gardener since the 1970s much to the dismay of her children who had a limited yard in which to play because of the garden and spent too much of their time pulling weeds. In her free time she loved to bake, sew, knit and quilt for family and friends and one year she even made 70 pairs of mittens for the church Christmas tree. In between her investment & book clubs, quilting and game groups she took regular road trips around the country to visit family and friends. Her love of the water took her to many beaches and lighthouses along the East Coast and Great Lakes, one of her favorites being Cape Hatteras NC. Barbaras life was filled with wonderful family, friends, neighbors and many, many students. She loved meeting and talking to people especially children, always had a smile and was quick to laugh. She loved a good cup of coffee, anything chocolate, Baileys Irish Cream and her seersucker outfits. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Alzheimers Association or Buffalo Hospice (Hospice Foundation, P.o. box 590, Buffalo NY 14240 716-686-9077) A Service will be held on Saturday, May 14th from 11 AM- 12 Noon at Lombardo Funeral Home, 3060 Abbott Rd.,Orchar Park. A gathering will follow from 12-3 PM.