Marie M. Handley

On Saturday, July 27, 2013, Marie joined her Lord after saying goodbye to her family after two years living with cancer, during which she showed us the true meaning of courage and grace.

Marie was born in Missoula on Sept. 20, 1938, to Peter and Ethel DeWit. Her father being the sawmill foreman at the Anaconda Co. mill, her family lived in the Bonner area, at times living in the mill's company housing.

She attended Swan River and Bonner elementary schools, and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1956. She earned a degree in education from Montana State University in Missoula (now the University of Montana). Marie caught the eye of Roy A. Handley of Clinton. He was quite smitten by her, even as she went away to teach high school in Red Lodge and Eureka. On Jan. 6, 1966, Roy and Marie were the first couple to be married in the current building of Our Savior's Church in Bonner. She continued her teaching career at Clinton School, where she taught junior high students. She retired from teaching in 1993.

Marie was a wonderful mother, raising two children on the ranch near Clinton. When her grandsons were born, she insisted on baby-sitting them during the day until they were each 1 year old. They were blessed to have their Gramma living a hop, skip and a jump away. She holds a special place in the hearts of so many. Marie was active in the Retired Educators Association, Clinton Women's Club, Clinton Community Center, and she was a 4-H leader in the 1970s and '80s. She was a mainstay at Our Savior's in Bonner and served as the church treasurer for several years.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Peter DeWit Sr. and Ethel E. DeWit; and her husband, Roy A. Handley. She is survived by her daughter, Kayreen M. Handley of Issaquah, Wash.; her son, Roy P. Handley (Kristine) of Clinton; two grandsons, Roy William Handley and Ryan Handley of Clinton; her siblings, Eleanor Fialka of Missoula, Wiley Baldwin (Julie) of Waxhaw, N.C., Peter DeWit Jr. (Carol) of Missoula and Johanna Wohl (Glen) of Missoula; and many nieces and nephews who were dear to her.

Marie's family would like to thank Marie's dear friends for their support, her brothers and sisters for their love and many visits, Pastors Jean Larson and Jean Collins, the members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church and Aunt Val for her tremendous support this last week. Thank you also to Partners Hospice and the caregivers from Case Management.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 5, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Bonner followed by a luncheon at church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 8985 Highway 200 E., Bonner, MT 59823; or the Montana Retired Educators Association, c/o Karen Richardson, Executive Director, P.O. Box 53, Somers, MT 59932.

Read Marie Handley's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.