Mary Zahralban Handy

Mary Zahralban Handy came to this earth on February 8, 1923, born into her family in Central Falls, Rhode Island. Mary then moved with her family to Falls River, Massachusetts. In her adult years, she lived in Bklyn, NY, where she met the love of her life Jack Randolph Handy. They married on June 21,1951. Together, they had one child, Minerva Handy Santerre and she also had a stepdaughter, Sandra Horton who is married to George. During those years, she worked as a seamstress. In the summer of 1968, they moved to Miami, Florida, where she continued living and working. Mary and Jack opened their home to cousins who transitioned from teenagers to adults as well as friends of their daughter and grandchildren.

The treasures of her life were her grandchildren, Jacob, Jesse and Jared Santerre as well as Michele DeWeese and Renae Horton. Michael Horton was her first grandson who became her guardian angel

when he arrived in heaven at the age of 3. When her granddaughter Michele married, she gained another grandson, Tony. When her grandsons, Jared and Jesse were married she was blessed by the addition of two granddaughters, Misti and Shelly. Later, she thought she couldn’t be more blessed than when her great grandchildren arrived who were Bella, Jesse, Skyler, Pearl, Jared and Harley as well as Zachary, Harrison, Nicholas and Michael.

In 2011, Mary moved with her daughter and son in love Ken Santerre. During those years she helped family and friends in many ways. Her transition in being a country woman came when Mary moved with them to Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia in 2023.

At 100, Mary was still an independent and determined woman. She went to live at Laurel Lodge assisted living in Cleveland, Georgia. She loved her new friends and always felt love. Mary had this perpetual smile that brought joy to many.

On Sunday, February 22, 2026, Mary gained her angel wings at 103. She is predeceased by her mother, Minerva Hanna and Deeb Zahralban, her brothers, Gabe, Albert, Joseph, George and Tony and her sisters, Jean and Agnes. Her only surviving sister is Sarah Simeone. She had many nephews and nieces from both the Zahralban Family and the Handy Family.

Mary will always live in the hearts of many. Her favorite word was “WOW” and that is what she undoubtedly said when she saw Jesus and Heaven. Her faith in God was unwavering, and her later years proved that.