Doris M. (Cooney) Little, 88, of Worcester, passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at Beaumont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Her loving husband of twenty-seven years, Leonard A. Little, predeceased her in 1993.

Doris is survived by a son, Leonard A. Little of Worcester; a daughter, Maria Mercado and her husband Marco of Rutland; five grandchildren, Evan Mercado, Gina Mercado, Nicole Cicero, Ryan Cicero, and Corey Cicero; a great grandson; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter, Sarah M. Little, and by two brothers, Joseph and Robert Cooney. She was born in Orange, New Jersey, daughter of the late, Joseph T. and Mary A. (Tonry) Cooney. She graduated from Mount St. Dominic High School and later, with an BA in English from Caldwell College for Women.

Doris worked as an administrative coordinator for over twenty-years at Worcester State University, before she retired. She was a member of the former Saint Charles Boromeo Church in Worcester, and was a passionate writer. Her writings were published many times, and she wrote a column for the Worcester Telegram for several years.

Calling hours for Doris will be held on Monday, February 16, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. Her Funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 17, from the funeral home, departing at 9 a.m. in procession to Saint Patrick’s Church, 258 Main Street, Rutland, where Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to The Mercy Centre, 25 West Chester Street, Worcester, MA 01605.