Lois Little

Lois Taylor Ryan Little, age 98, peacefully passed away on April 11, 2026, in her own home. Lois was born on October 3, 1927, on her family’s farm in Bainbridge Township, Ohio, to Lucille Stucky and Cleon Taylor. She was very proud of her pioneer lineage, as a member of one of the founding families of the area. A lifelong historian, she never tired of telling the story of how Enos D. Kingsley, (her great-great-grandfather), from Becket, Massachusetts, settled here in the land known as the Western Reserve in 1817. Lois shared her early life in Bainbridge with her four sisters on the family farm. She graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1945, and entered Huron Road Hospital School of Nursing as a member of the U.S. Cadet Corps. Nursing was a pivotal part of her life and she served that role in many capacities over the years, especially as a caregiver for her loved ones. She married Glenn Ryan and together they raised their three beloved children; Larry, Jeff, and Linda in Twinsburg, Ohio. In later years, she married Glenn Little, a high school classmate, blending their families to include Glenn Little Jr. (Chip), Colleen, Jeff, and Todd. As her family grew and grew, her love expanded over the years to embrace many precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her dear ones, and with each birth she added one more name to her cherished quilt. Lois was preceded in death by her two husbands, son Jeff Little, son Jeff Ryan, daughter Linda Broderick, granddaughter Stephanie Ryan, and grandson Steven Ryan, as well as her sisters Dorothy, Jean, and Elsa. She is survived by her sister Janet Novak, treasured children Larry Ryan (Darlene), Chip Little (Cindi), Colleen Janke (husband Gil, deceased), Todd Little (Cindy), and countless adored grandchildren and great grandchildren, deeply loved son and daughter-in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews, near and far. Lois enjoyed her trips to Savannah, the annual Taylor Girls Reunion, Lois Club meetings, socializing at the Senior Center, and her lifelong membership at the Bainbridge Community Church and the Bainbridge Township Historical Society. Lois lived a full life on her own terms, with resilience, grit, and grace. She lived her entire life for her family, because in her words, “Family is Everything.” We are grateful for everyone who has helped Lois in her last years, especially her kind neighbor, Linda Barnard, and the many very attentive transport drivers from the Geauga County Department on Aging.

Friends and family are welcome to the Bainbridge Community United Church of Christ, 17751 Chillicothe Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 on Saturday, April 18 from 9:30 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. with a funeral service at 10:30 A.M. Burial to follow at Restland Cemetery. Afterward, guests are welcome to the church hall for refreshments and to share remembrances of Lois. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Bainbridge Township Historical Society, 17810 Chillicothe Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 in memory of Lois.