Shirley S. Little

Shirley Scheck Little, professional dancer, wife, mother, grandmother and soon to be great grandmother passed away peacefully in her home on November 20, 2010. She was born March 24, 1923 in Stratford Connecticut to the late Christian and Lillian Scheck. She was the youngest of four children.Shirley Little, known professionally as Lyn Shirley, danced at all the major nightclubs around the country during the 30’s and 40’s, including the Paramount and Roxy theatres in New York City and Radio City Music Hall. She also danced with Danny Kaye, Xavier Cugat, Charlie Spivak, and the Glen Miller, Jimmy Dorsey, and Woody Herman Orchestras. She was featured in the Broadway production of “Showtime.” Offered a Hollywood contract with Paramount Pictures in 1947 which she promptly turned down, she married Lewis F Little, her high school beau, on September 13, 1947. She stopped dancing professionally in 1960. Shirley lived in Stamford Connecticut for the past 60 years. She taught ballet, tap dancing, and acrobatics for 32 years at both the Roxbury Community Center and the Stamford YWCA. Mrs. Little was predeceased by her husband, Lewis F Little and two brothers and a sister. She is survived by her three daughters, Lucinda Harshman and her husband Tom of Pittsburgh PA, Cherryl Jost and her husband Jay of Fairfield CT, and Melissa Schmidt and her husband Bill of Blackrock CT and one son, Christopher Little and his wife Linda of Canton MA. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Colleen and Lindsey McDonough, Jennifer and Robert Little, Garrett and Bryce Schmidt, several nieces and nephews and many extended family members. “Mama” will be missed, but will live in our hearts forever! A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday November 23rd at 10:00 AM at St. Leo Roman Catholic Church, Stillwater Road, Stamford CT. Burial will follow at St. Michaels Cemetery in Stratford CT. Friends may call Monday November 22nd from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Leo P Gallagher and Son Funeral Home 2900 Summer Street Stamford.

Donations can be made to Hospice Care, Inc. .