Nancy (Merloni) Little, 81, of Southborough, passed away Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at her home surrounded by family after a short, courageous battle with cancer. Born in Framingham on April 24, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Catherine (Datti) Merloni and the beloved wife of Harold Little for 61 years. Nancy worked for more than 50 years as an oral surgical assistant, retiring in 2014 from Metrowest Oral Surgical Associates. She was a devout parishioner of St. Matthew Parish in Southborough.

Nancy was predeceased by her brother, Louis Merloni, and her sister-in-law, Judy Little. In addition to her husband, Nancy is survived by her three sons: Timothy Little and his wife, Amy; Scott Little and his partner, Deborah Brady; and Brad Little and his wife, Kathryn. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Jake and his fiancée, Kasey Ackerman; Brady and his wife, Ashley; Maggie, and Calvin; as well as great-granddaughter Charlotte and her sister, Natalie. Nancy is also survived by her brother, Jack Merloni, and his wife, Paula; her sister-in-law, Sandra Merloni; and her brother-in-law, Tom Little, and his wife, Ginny. She also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews, lifelong friends, and her two cats, Mike and Molly.

Nancy was a woman of deep faith, generosity, and warmth. She was happiest in her sweats, surrounded by loved ones, and was affectionately known as “Noni.” Nancy treasured any activity that brought the family together—boating, days at the beach, or cheering from the sidelines. Bermuda was her “Happy Place,” a destination she often visited on cruises with her husband, family, extended family, and anyone else she could persuade to join them. She also cherished family vacations on Cape Cod and trips to Florida, where she enjoyed the beaches and attending Red Sox Spring Training games. Nancy loved baking for her family, especially her brownies, fondly called “Beautiful Brownies.”

Anyone who attended a sporting event with Nancy knew how enthusiastically she cheered—not only for her favorite professional teams, but especially for her grandchildren. Nancy was typically “early to bed and early to rise”—unless there was a midnight indoor soccer game at Teamworks. In that case, she happily stayed up past her bedtime to attend and cheer on the team. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when spectators were not permitted at the rink, Nancy jokingly offered to work there so she could still be present for her grandson’s hockey games. These moments reflect the steadfast love and devotion she showed her family throughout her life. Nancy never needed to be anything other than exactly who she was: a loving wife, mother, and Noni.

In accordance with Nancy’s wishes, cremation has taken place. No visiting hours will be held, but the family will be present before the Memorial Mass of Christian Burial to welcome attendees on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew Parish, 105 Southville Road, Southborough, MA 01772. Burial will follow at Southborough Rural Cemetery, 11 Cordaville Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Matthew Parish, a special place in Nancy’s heart. Donations may be sent directly to the church in her loving memory and will go toward purchasing a new Nativity set for the parish.