Kathleen Hedwig Little, age 89 of Gainesville, VA, passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2017. Kathleen was born December 6, 1927 in Jersey City, N.J., the daughter of the late Thomas McGarry and Hedwig Hammerly McGarry.

Kathleen enjoyed speaking Spanish, writing, bowling, knitting, rug hooking, playing the organ, ballroom dancing, traveling, nutrition, reiki, spiritual healing, reading, the culinary arts, and animals. She graduated from East Rockaway High School in 1946 where she received the Spanish award. This award helped propel her language studies at the Latin American Institute in New York City, from which she later graduated. She modeled in New York City after high school and was selected as the face for the Latin American Institute in many of its printed advertisements. She also worked for the New York Times, and for Joshua E. Powers Inc. foreign language newspaper in New York City. Additionally, she was the first American woman hired to work in South America as a bi-lingual Spanish-English translator by the Lummus Corporation, a subsidiary of Shell Oil Company.

Kathleen later worked in Venezuela for Mene Grande Oil Company, a subsidiary of Gulf Oil Corporation, where she met Luther Little. In 1955 Kathleen and Luther married. They returned to the United States after five years of marriage to start a family. They had two daughters, Susan and Jean.

Kathleen won many ballroom dancing competitions over the years and was a Reiki Master. She was also an animal rights activist, and belonged to the Dowsing Society, Heritage Hunt Knitting Society, Alternative Healing, Birdwatching Society, Gems and Stones Club, Humane Society, and PETA Society. Kathleen’s passion for the culinary arts stemmed from her focus on nutrition. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother and her presence touched everyone.

Kathleen is predeceased by her parents Thomas and Hedwig McGarry. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Luther Little, her daughters Susan (Kevin) Necaise of Pass Christian, MS and Jean Pareja of Manassas, VA; her grandchildren, Christopher Necaise, Lauren Necaise and Hannah Pareja; her brothers Thomas (Joann) McGarry and William (Jean) McGarry; and her nephews and nieces. She will be greatly missed by all.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 A.M. at the Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 10001 Nokesville Road, Manassas, VA on Thursday, July 6, 2017 followed by a rosary and prayer service, and, finally, interment at 1:00 P.M. at Stonewall Memory Gardens, 12004 Lee Highway, Manassas, VA.

Friends and family are invited to the family home afterwards for a continued time of fellowship.

Online condolences may be left on Kathleen Hedwig McGarry’s Memorial Tribute site at www.bakerpostfh.com.