Ethna Marie Little

Ethna Marie Little, nee Ball, was born in Derry City, Northern Ireland, on July 26, 1939. Ethna passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of the late James and Mary Ball, nee Duffy. Ethna graduated from Thornhill College in Derry City. 

Ethna followed her older brother to the United States in the summer of 1960. She intended to visit for just a year but met James Little in the spring of 1961. They fell in love, and Ethna decided to stay. They were married at St. Matthew’s Church in Dorchester in July 1963. Ethna and Jim both enjoyed music and dancing and went to the State Ballroom in Boston where showbands from Ireland frequently performed. They later settled in Westwood where they raised their family and lived for over 40 years.

Ethna was a champion Irish step dancer competing in Northern Ireland and the Nationals in Dublin. She encouraged her daughters to learn Irish step dancing too, and they competed in feiseanna, the New England Oireachtas, Nationals and the North American championships. Ethna danced in the adult ceili at the feiseanna. Legend is that Ethna’s ceili team was undefeated east of the Mississippi. 

In their retirement, Ethna and Jim enjoyed traveling with their close friends to Bermuda, Mexico and on Caribbean cruises. They had a lot of laughs. They also made annual trips to Ireland. Most of all, Ethna delighted in her grandchildren who loved their Nana so much.

Ethna is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, Jim. Ethna and Jim were blessed with 3 daughters and 8 grandchildren: Noeleen, her husband Carl Erickson of Newton, and their sons, William and Ethan; Deirdre, her husband David Belcher of Westwood, and their children, Abaigael, Colin, and Owen; and Leanne, her husband Vincent Aguirre of Andover, and their children, Vincent, Alexandra, and Julianne. She is also survived by her brother, Seamus and his wife Patricia, of Derry City. She was predeceased by her brother Michael and her sister Noeleen. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours in the Holden, Dunn & Lawler Funeral Home, 55 High Rock Street, Westwood on Tuesday, January 21st from 4-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Denis Church, 157 Washington Street, Westwood on Wednesday, January 22nd at 11am. Interment private. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Ethna may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the caregivers at AccentCare Hospice Center in Milton.