Irene Little
December 25, 1921 - March 23, 2005
- Share:
Irene Little
December 25, 1921 - March 23, 2005
Obituary
Irene Little passed away on the morning of March 23 at 8:25. Born Georgina Irene Goatham on Christmas Day, 1921 in Forfar, Scotland, she traveled first to Canada at a very young age and arrived in Inglewood, California around the age of 5. She attended Morningside High School before meeting her surviving husband of 60 years, Norman H. Little. They were introduced to each other, starting a life-long love affair, by Lillian Hoflund, Norm’s cousin, at a church youth group function. Irene and Norm’s first date was at the Midget Car races in North Hollywood; ironically, on March 23, 1939. During leave from the U.S. Army, Irene and Norm were married on June 29th, 1944. A family reunion and celebration of their 60 years of marriage and listening to an infinite number of repeat jokes and stories during that time! was held December, 2005 in Palm Desert, California.
Irene was an exemplary mother to 3 daughters, Janice, Luanne and Lori, a loving grandmother to 8 and great-grandmother to 2. All of her ‘sweetie-pies? cherished the kisses, warmth and loving embraces that Irene so generously dispersed.
In addition to raising a family in both Lancaster and La Palma, Irene worked as a secretary at Management Service in Santa Ana. She was also a member of a close group of high-school girlfriends, Entre Nous, which met on a regular basis for over 60 years and provided community services to area hospitals and local organizations.
She was an accomplished square dancer, enjoyed playing golf, working out at the gym, and cooking for the family, even during vacation trips to remote areas such as Green Creek in the High Sierras. Christmas was always a special event, doubling as a birthday, and preparing stockings for family and extended family members. Often compared to ?Ozzie and Harriet? because of their similarity to the All-American family, Irene with Norm provided the epitome of a stable family home life that was a magnet to friends of the daughters, in-laws and out-laws!
Her mother, May, a sister, also named May, and a brother, Billy preceded Irene in death.
15 responses to Irene Little
Sue Barbosa Parga says:
March 30, 2005
To Norm & Family,
Your fellow workers send their condolences…
Dottie & Ken Masley ~Arizona~
Art Maiers ~Palos Verdes~
Bob Hansen ~Palmdale~
Angie Barbosa & Sue B.Parga &Fam.
It was a wonderful service and Irene will be in our prayers forever.
Matt Osowski says:
March 31, 2005
Dear Lori and Family,
I am very sorry for your loss and you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Leta Wolford Hartley says:
April 1, 2005
To Uncle Norm and all the family:
I am sorry I couldn’t be with you at the funeral, but mom and Linda kept me informed. God blessed you with a wonderful life, and you shared that blessing with all of us always. Your life together was a beautiful tribute to all of our lives. I thank Irene for being mother’s best friend for over 60 years. May God reach out to you always. All my love, Leta
Elinor Taylor says:
April 2, 2005
Dear Precious Family, Roger and I are thankful that we were able to be with you on Monday. All of you gave such wonderful tributes to your Mother and Grandmother. She treasured you all so very much. Irene gave me her love from the minute I arrived from Scotland. Her home was a special place to be and she gave me the opportunity to be a “big sister” to her little girls. I have so many fond memories of her love, her faith, and her shining example. We have all of you in our prayers as you return to your “everyday lives” Facing the “everyday” is when we miss the one we love the most. Our love to Norman and to all of you. Elinor and Roger, Lucas and Nikolas and from Aunt Agnes
Don Unnerstall says:
April 5, 2005
So sorry to hear about Irene. You are in our prayers.