Joanne W. Little

Joanne Wineman Little, 67, passed away peacefully after a 3 ½ year fight with cancer on June 16, 2026. Joanne leaves behind her loving husband of 25 years, Donald Little, children Dawn, Valerie, Chris and Amanda and grandchildren Devon, Demi, Jordon, Joshua, Ava, Zahara and Zoey.

Joanne was born March 16, 1959 in New York City to Betty Lazarus and Don Wineman, with an upbringing in Roslyn, NY along with her trusted dog flipper. (a basset hound) Joanne had the nick name Bunny due to her ability to flare her nose! She had a true appreciation for the outdoors and competition due to her summers spent in Bridgeton, Maine at Camp Woodlands. The focus was water sports on Long Lake, plus tennis, softball, archery theater and songs. Joanne excelled in all sports so the competition between the Green team and the Gray Team in Color War was her favorite part of camp.

Joanne graduated from Denver University with a degree in Graphic Design. While in Colorado, though she was not a skier, she enjoyed winter time at ski resorts watching out the windows as she stayed warm inside with a hot toddy or two!

After school she came back to NY and worked as a Production Manager at GQ Magazine. Living in Manhattan, space is at a premium but in Joanne’s upper east side 1 bedroom apartment there was plenty of room for her cat ZuZu. Adventures abounded and memories were made while taking advantage of the city that doesn’t sleep: Theater, Museums, clubs, sporting events and all the restaurants! Weekends were often spent on Long Island with familyy and at the North Shore Country Club playing tennis and golf or sitting by the pool.

Joanne learned at an early age the wonder of travel and being in NY took advantage of direct flights as often as possible. South Africa, Bermuda, Puerto Rico in the early days. Favorite places traveling with Don: Mediterranean Cruise with a stop in Pompei, Paris, Alaska. Travel was for the purpose of culture, sights, animal viewing, eating and drinking!

Joanne moved to Florida to care for her father who’s health was failing in the early 90’s and has been here ever since. She worked at the Sailfish Marina, a place she had spent a lot of time at as a child on vacation with her parents who came to Florida for fishing! Additional work was for 3 different Florida State House Representatives and the Alzheimer’s Community Care Center where she also volunteered.

Joanne met Don while volunteering at the Red Cross and their relationship flourished. They became each other’s person and married in May of 2001. Joanne became a wife, a mother to Don’s 4 children and a grandmother to their children all in one day! This was a new experience and responsibility; one she came to cherish. Family was always of utmost importance to Joanne and even friends became like family. She loved passionately and showered her loved ones with generosity.

A memorial service will be held at Palms West Funeral Home on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 11:00 AM with family greeting friends at 10:30 AM. Following the ceremony the family will be gathering at the Little's house for Joanne's celebration of life. Please join us at: 13197 Bonnette Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418