Jennifer Little

Jennifer Alexis Little | 1992-2022

Jennifer Alexis Little of Port St. Lucie, FL left us too soon on December 14, 2022 at the young age of age of 30 after losing her battle with addiction. Jenn was a lot of things to many people; a granddaughter, a daughter, a sister, a niece, a cousin, and a friend but she was so much more than that. She was a confidant to others struggling with their own demons, a fighter in her own right, a lover of nature (and of course Alligators), a shoulder to lean on, and that rare genuine person who truly cared about everyone’s well being no matter what she was battling herself.

Growing up in Endicott, NY Jennifer enjoyed so many things in life from going out on the family boat and fishing in the summer, to snow-tubing and skiing at Greek Peak Resort. She spent many hours listening to music and driving the back roads with her best friend, Erica.  At 19, Jenn relocated to Florida to seek help with addiction and it became home. She loved Florida. She loved to drive to Cape Canaveral and watch rockets take-off to the stars. She was at her happiest in nature, feeling the serenity and calm of the sounds of birds in the woods, gazing at the night sky, or swimming in the ocean and feeling the breeze with the warm Florida sun on her face. Jenn loved kayaking through Savannas Preserves State Park in PSL. This was the place where it didn’t matter what was going on in the world, it was her place of solitude and relaxation among her alligator friends. 

Although she had her moments of weakness like all those who have struggled before her, Jenn never let her bright light and spirit of optimism for the future fade. Jenn had graduated from Indian River State College with an A.S. in Business Administration, continuing her studies she graduated in May 2022 with a B.A.S. in Organizational Management with honors. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Jenn was accepted to Florida Atlantic University with plans to start her MBA in the Spring of 2023. Looking forward to her future endeavors, she was excited at the prospect of the employment opportunities coming her way after graduation. Everywhere she went, Jennifer carried an infectious smile and can-do attitude that left an impression on all of those who had the pleasure of interacting with her. 

Jenn was always in your corner when you needed a friend to call on for help. Working in the addiction and treatment world, there are countless lives whom she had an impact on. We’ve heard many stories starting with the words “If it wasn’t for Jennifer…” which has brought a smile to our faces. Knowing she helped so many people in her short time on earth is an inspiration for us all during this tragic time. Jenn may have lost her own battle, but we can all take comfort in the fact that she leaves behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and empathy. She knew to treat others with care because you may not always see on the surface what someone else is struggling with deep down. We will all carry her loss with us for the rest of our days, but know she would not want us to get lost in grief because life is a precious gift. We will stay strong knowing that Jenn’s spirit will always be with us in our hearts wherever we are. It’s in that ocean breeze, it’s in those warm rays of the summer sun, it’s in the calm of the woods and in the glimmer of a clear starry night.

Thank you Jenn, for bringing your light and sharing your beautiful soul with the world, you will be dearly missed. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, know that you are loved, there is a light at the end of that dark tunnel, and there is help to be had for those who need it, all one must do is ask. We all love you Jennifer, to the moon and back.

Jennifer Alexis Little is preceded in death by her grandparents Gary and Opal Little, Alexander Stern, Karen Schmidt and too many of her friends who have lost their own battles with addiction. She is survived by her grandmother Carol Hollings, mother Ingrid Little of Endicott, father James Little of Endwell, sister Elizabeth Little and brother Clifford (Rob) Little and his fiancé Sheena Jannesari. Jenn is survived by her very best childhood friend since age 5, Erica Cirzeveto. Jenn is also survived by her aunts and uncles Gary and Cheryl DiGiacomo, Lynn and Lori Little, David and Michelle Stenhouse, Matthew and Serena Stern , Oscar Stern and Kate Baldus, Lance and Julie Stern and Jimmy and Emma Joy Kelley; cousins Michelle and Michael DiGiacomo, Cassidy, Cameron and Cali Stern and Lucian Stern as well as many other extended relatives.

We invite all friends and family to join us for The Rite of Committal to be held at Riverhurst Cemetery, Endwell, NY on June 30, 2023  at 1:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Life at the Endicott Visitors Center Community Hall , Endicott, NY from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Please by to share a memory and a smile for our beloved Jennifer. We would love to see you.

In lieu of flowers, the Little family suggests making a donation in Jennifer’s honor to your local addiction treatment facility or to the Friends of Savannas Preserves State Park, Port St. Lucie, FL.