Elaine Handley

Elaine Handley, born Elaine Smith in Ashland, Oregon, on September 17, 1914, passed away June 25, 2013. Her family moved to Amy, Kansas when she was 8 months old. Four families moved from Kentucky and started the town of Amy, Kansas, where Elaine’s father owned 8 quarters of land.

Elaine met James B. Handley when he was working in western Kansas. They were married on March 13, 1933 and moved to his hometown – Monroe City, Missouri. During World War 2, they followed the harvest and ended up in Seattle, working for Boeing. Then, in 1945 or 1946, a doctor told them they needed to get their son to a warmer climate and they moved to Arizona.

They celebrated 63 years together before her husband passed away in 1996. They have two children, James J. (Helen) and Loyce Sumpter (Dixon), and have four grandchildren – Jennifer and Scott Handley and Brennan (Heidi) and Ethan Sumpter, along with two great-grandchildren, Bethany and Mallory Hector. She was predeceased by her husband and son, as well as a sister, brother-in-law, and infant brother.

Elaine was a gifted dressmaker/seamstress and sewed beautiful clothes and did alterations for many women in Mesa. She was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Mesa. She was also a member of the Saguaro Business and Professional Women’s Club; and was named Woman of the Year in the organization in 1966/67. She was devoted to her family and her Church and will be missed by many.

A Memorial Service of Elaine will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, 6747 East Broadway Road, Mesa, Arizona 85206. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Elaine’s name to Companion Hospice, 1930 South Alma School Road, Ste. D105, Mesa, Arizona 85210. Arrangements entrusted to Mariposa Gardens Funeral Care. Please visit www.MariposaGardens.com to leave a tribute to Elaine.