Mary Caroline Little

Mary Caroline (Haynes) Little died at home in her sleep on December 9, 2020. Born on March 8, 1928 in the District of Columbia. She lived long past any expectations. She had suffered courageously from discomfort and pain for many years, and her family is grateful that she is finally free.

Carol, as she was known, was the first-born child of Anne Frances (O’Donnell) Haynes and John L. Haynes. She is preceded in death by a sister, Anne Frances (Haynes) Kinney. She is survived by her brother, John L. Haynes, her husband, Walter of almost 66 years and all of her eight children, several spouses, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild: (Beth Little Sutton (Starling), Kathy Little Moore, Charlie Little (Cathy), Peggy Little, Terry Little, Helen Little McGuire (Danny), Fran Little DeCicco (DJ) and Pat Little (Brad Koss). Her beloved grandchildren are Stephanie Embry (Chris), Shannon Grandberry (Ryan), Nicole Little, Alex Little, Walter Little (Kat), Colin Alexander, Kevin Moore, Sarabeth Sutton, Andrey Little. Her favorite great grandchild was most definitely Liam Little.

Working from an early age in hospital settings, Carol received her Assoc. of Arts degree in Medical Science. Upon graduation, she worked at Georgetown Hospital, then traveled to Belgium with her family where she was not allowed to work. Bored, she returned to the US by herself and continued working at Georgetown Hospital until an opportunity to apply for a position at the CIA in 1950 became available.

Carol had a sharp, organized mind and an independent spirit that stood her well as she negotiated working and traveling internationally in her 20s. She loved to tell the story of climbing Mt. Fuji with friends, when on assignment in Tokyo, learning too late that it gets cold at the top of a mountain! After her Japan assignment ended, she chose to circumnavigate the globe through India and Egypt rather than quickly return via the Pacific Ocean.

She was introduced to her husband Walter in London and they quickly fell in love and decided to spend their lives together. They married in Westminster Cathedral and eventually returned to D.C. where they lived until their first daughter Beth was born. It was only a few days before Beth was born that Carol finally quit working. A move to the Virginia suburbs seven additional children were born in quick succession, including a set of twins as the bookend. Once Carol began having children, she worked exclusively in her home, raising her children with the same organization and independence that had stood her in good stead as a single person.

Her children still marvel at her ability to manage a large household of 8 children with limited resources initially. Over the years, lots of complaints and jokes emanated from children over powdered milk and cod liver oil at breakfast time, but Carol was determined to stay on budget and keep her children healthy.

As her children left home, she began spending time each summer in Rehoboth Beach. Eventually, she and Walter established a second home there and especially enjoyed becoming part of the off-season community there.

She played board games and Quiddler with her grandchildren and she was never afraid to be competitive. Nobody beat Nana without a lot of hard work! She also loved cuddling with them while they watched movies (repeatedly.)

Carol was talented with her hands and enjoyed learning new techniques. She loved cooking, needlework and flower arranging. She pursued each of these hobbies through classes and seminars with tremendous attention to detail and her family benefited from her talents.

As she became unable to pursue the hobbies she loved so much, she spent much of her time keeping up with public television shows, professional figure skating and current affairs. She cared deeply about politics and fairness.

She struggled to learn to use a computer, but when she was given an iPad, she got plugged in, messaging her children and grandchildren, and using Facebook to everyone’s delight. As Carol’s health began to preclude her from cooking, she was served well by her dependable and loving husband, Walter. Carol loved his omelets and soups! Her children are forever grateful for the selfless care that Walter provided.

Because of her love of public television and children, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Toys for Tots or your local public television station.