Bonnie B. Little

Bonnie Bland Little died February 6, 2025 in Winchester.
She was born June 25, 1946 in Roanoke, VA to Earl Edward and Ruth Irene Wimmer Bland. She graduated from Roanoke High School in 1964 and from Roanoke College in 1968. An avid reader and book lover, she always planned a career as an English teacher.
After college, she taught one year near Roanoke. Later, after moving to Winchester, she taught at James Wood High School for 33 years, retiring in 2003. She taught mostly Senior English and was a fountain of knowledge of English history and literature.
On June 8, 1968 she married John Parker Westervelt but divorced in 1975. By this union came Paul Westervelt, born in 1974.
Around 1990, she learned of a group of avid birders from the DC area who were counting migrating hawks. She joined the group at the Snickers Gap Hawk Watch site where Hwy 7 crosses the Blue Ridge and became fully enamored with the sport. There in 2001, she met a birder who had just moved from Minnesota. That acquaintance and friendship eventually led to marriage, and she wed Jonathan Little on December 1, 2004. The couple enjoyed countless days and hours pursuing their interest in birds and nature. She especially enjoyed their yearly trips to Cape May, NJ, Eastern Florida, as well as many other birding spots around the country.
To her friends and colleagues, she was affectionately known as BJ; to her students, it was just Ms. Westervelt. A particular student once told Jon "BJ was my favorite teacher of all time". She impressed everyone with her wit and charm, touched hundreds of young lives, and was admired by all who met her. She will truly be missed.
She leaves behind her husband Jonathan, his son William Little of Creal Springs, IL, daughter Karen Little of Mayer, MN, and families; her son Paul Westervelt (Sonya) of Arrington, VA, grandchildren Magnolia and Crosier Westervelt; brother Chris Bland (Julie) of Harrisonburg, VA, nephew Rob Bland of Los Altos, CA, niece Christin Bland Linn of Middleburg, VT, and families.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.