Winifred “Winnie” Carter Littlejohn of Charlotte, North Carolina, formerly of Cheshire, Massachusetts, and East Quogue, died on August 3 at Legacy Heights in North Carolina. She was 88. Born on August 30, 1924, in East Quogue to Elmer Carter Sr., a carpenter and sailboat maker, and Amy Vakay Carter, she attended East Quogue Elementary School and Westhampton Beach High School.
Ms. Littlejohn was a “Grey Lady” volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and became a licensed practical nurse, working at St. Luke’s and Berkshire Medical Center. She retired after 19 years of service.
A longtime Methodist, Ms. Littlejohn had recently joined St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Charlotte, which she attended with her daughter, Pam.
Her hobbies included gardening, oil painting, photography and traveling throughout the United States and Europe with her husband and to Bermuda with her children. She loved the beach and returned to Long Island every summer to spend time with family and to enjoy the ocean.
After her retirement from nursing she attended Berkshire Community College and graduated with honors, at age 72, with a degree in visual arts. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Society. One of her art drawing projects was chosen by the college for its annual Christmas card.
Family members said she was known for her sense of humor, always parting with the words, “See ya later alligator.”
She was also very proud of her Long Island roots. Her father was a longtime member of the East Quogue Fire Department and she attended reunions at Hallockville, being a descendant of Peter Hallock, who settled on Long Island in 1640.
She is predeceased by husband Lyance Littlejohn Jr.; and two brothers, Russell Carter and Elmer Carter Jr. Her best friend from kindergarten was the late Shirley Lutz of East Quogue and they remained best friends throughout their entire lives.
Ms. Littlejohn is survived by three daughters, JoAnn and husband Timothy Abair of Massachusetts, Pamela and husband Steve Chandler of North Carolina, and Elaine McAndrews of Long Island; a son, Lyance Littlejohn III of Massachusetts; three grandsons, Jody Culpepper, Jesse Littlejohn and Ryan Littlejohn; two granddaughters, Sheila “Stella” Powell and Kelly Murphy; a great-grandaughter, Kaycie Parker; two great-grandsons, Axel and Hunter; two great-great-grandchildren, Caiden and Jocelynn Parker; and two sisters-in-law, Lorraine Homan and Elvira Cherko.
Funeral arrangements are being shared by Heritage Funeral and Cremation Services of Charlotte and J. Ronald Scott Funeral Home of Hampton Bays.
There will be a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery in East Quogue on Friday, August 9, at 11 a.m.
Memorial donations may be sent to the East Quogue Fire Department, 465 Montauk Highway, East Quogue, NY 11942.