I am so "selfishly" disappointed to hear of Becky's death, a week or more after her memorial service, because I would so have wanted to be at that service to honor this most wonderful woman. Becky was my "mentor teacher" when I started teaching at Bishop Hartley High School in 1981. She became not simply a departmental colleague to me, but one of my dearest friends throughout the rest of her career there; it was with great pride that I inherited her AP classes after her retirement. After her retirement, she continued to grace BHHS with her years of make-up experience with the Drama Dept. Each of my three children got to know and love her through those volunteer years as well. I have only the fondest memories of Rebecca, and I am so disappointed that I missed out on a last visit with her. Blessings, Rebecca! I'm hoping you have front row seats to all of the "best" of our "human dramas." Peace and Love to the families.

Aunt Becky had a way of making people feel special.  When we visited, she was always interested in what was happening in our lives, asking questions and sharing encouragement.  We always found Aunt Becky to be cheerful and bubbly and it made us feel good to be around her.  We loved how she helped keep the extended Bakos family connected by hosting family gatherings through the years at her apartment in Gahanna or assisting one of her sons to hold the annual holiday halupki party at their home.  

Dad (her brother Dave), Juliane and I had an enjoyable visit with Aunt Becky in April.  We reminisced about things we did together over the years, and we learned a few new stories to go with many of the old ones.   Aunt Becky shared stories about her experience shortly after college as part of a traveling marketing/acting team selling laundry detergent, many of which I had not previously heard.  It was a great visit and one that gave us a lasting positive memory of her.  

We are grateful to have known Aunt Becky and we will miss her.    

David and Juliane Bakos

Becky was one of the dearest friends I have ever had, a friend in deed. Even after retiring, she returned nightly to create the faces for hundreds of Bishop Hartley's young actors. I first met her in 1982 as my English Department Chairman. She was centrally responsible for Hartley's Presidents'Day weekend arts tour to New York, one of the richest offerings ever to the Hartley community. We laughed the whole weekend there as we braved a 13" blizzard! Her love for her sons, grandchildren & B ishop Hartley 
 Were the hallmark of her remarkable life. I respect and love her dearly.

To me she was Aunt Becky.  To others she was mother, sister, grandmother, Aunt, friend and teacher. We all shared the same which was her love of us and our love of her. When you were with her you were alone with her, she heard every word you said.  Nothing else mattered at that moment.

Imagine a world full of people who shared her same values. Imagine how perfect that world be.

Dan Castner

Aunty's Becky, we all love you. I still remember the day hou sent me, Brett and Brittany to go get ice cream at a shoppe around the corner from Aunt Helen's funeral that had closed months prior.  I think it was Matt that realized that store was no longer in existence.  Looking back now I can see the humor in this memory
Erin

As we read the thoughtful remembrances here, we are moved by how perfectly they capture the essence of Aunt Becky. Those radiant qualitites of exuberance, tenderness and authenticity were on full display when we visited her earlier this month.

      She immediately beamed her loving smile the minute we arrived--so characteristic of her. Clearly in an upbeat mood, she wasted no time asking about our lives, with genuine curiosity driving the conversation with each answer we gave. 

      We were able to connect her by phone to her brother, Dave, and before long they were volleying memories back and forth. Both of them were in high spirits, laughing and serving up rich details of their childhood and adolescent years in Cambridge, Oh--one highlight, the drugstore where Becky and friend, Imogene, would treat themselves to ice cream ( two scoops!) take in movies at the Strand and then head to the 10¢ store, all for 25¢. "It was a great place to grow up..." Becky shared fondly as the conversation wound down.

      We were fortunate witnesses to her aliveness that day, not knowing at the time how even more extraordinary and precious that hour-long visit would become.  

      With deep gratitude for having her in our lives.

Joe Castner and Rowan Evans

Mrs. Handley was a gifted educator. When I look at her photo here it is as I remember her, always smiling combined with her wonderful laugh. She inspired Joy in hundreds of her students over the years!
She was our faculty adviser to the Hawkeye and as editor she inspired my love for editing and writing, which continues to impact my career today. 
Mrs. Handley challenged many of us to have the courage to step onto the stage in our high school theater productions. 
Our hope is to leave this world and not be forgotten and remembered fondly, Mrs. Handley is both for the many students who had the good fortune to know her. 
With gratitude for all the lives you touched!
Sharon Lieb Inzetta

I’m sorry to hear Mrs.Handley passed. At,95, she certainly lived a full life. 
It’s been nearly 40 years since she was my English teacher but, still remember how she had a passion & dedication for teaching. 
She will be missed . I wish my deepest sympathies to the family and will be praying for her.,  
Sincerely, 
Don S. class of 1988

My fondest memory of Aunt Becky was the gathering of family for her yearly Halupka party just before New Years.  It brought together family from across the country and gave us all a wonderful time to catch up with loved ones.  Besides catching up with family there was the food!  All of it was wonderful and so much of it and what we were raised on.  We really loved the time she gave us to celebrate this time together. So, yes, family came first for Aunt Becky.  She raised three wonderful boys and they have beautiful families. Aunt Becky, you will be missed.  All our love, Dave and Chris

Mrs. Handley was a great influence on so many Hartley Students throughout her 30 years.  I'll always remember how she helped with our drama productions and was so proud of the students and their accomplishments.

When I look back at the people who influenced my journalism career, one person stands out above all: Mrs. Handley. She did more than teach grammar, literature, and reporting — she opened the door to a world of storytelling and curiosity that became the foundation of my professional life ( I worked at the Richmond Times-Dispatch for 35 years with the last 11 1/2 years as the business editor ).
Her Bishop Hartley High School classroom was a place where ideas mattered, deadlines were real, and words carried weight. She challenged me to write with clarity, to think critically, and to approach every assignment with integrity. More than that, she believed in me before I believed in myself.
The lessons I learned in her class guided me into journalism, and they have stayed with me throughout my career. I am deeply grateful for her encouragement, high standards, and the spark she lit that has never gone out.
RIP Mrs. Handley.

So sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Handley! She was me of my favorite teachers at Hartley and I had her for homeroom.  She will be sadly missed. Prayers of comfort for her family.

OBITUARY

Rebecca "Becky" June Handley

June 29, 1930 – September 20, 2025

Schoedinger Margarum Northeast

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