HANDY, SHIRLEY RUBY (nee ARCHER)

It is with profound sadness that the family announce the passing of Shirley Ruby Handy (nee Archer) in her 88^th year. After a brief illness and peacefully with her son Douglas by her side, on Wednesday December 30, 2020 at Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Orillia.

Beloved wife of 67 years to James Ronald Handy. Cherished mother of Douglas (Cynthia) and Shane (Leslie-Ann). Devoted Grandmother to Craig (Samantha), Francesca, Alexander and Matthew. Proud daughter of the late Reginald and Mary Archer. Dear sister of Faye predeceased (Lawrence) Townes and Donald (Margaret) Archer. Dear sister-in-law of Ruby Crowe predeceased and Leonard (Doreen) Handy both predeceased. Shirley will be deeply missed by many nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and all who knew her.

Born at Langman’s Corners on May 20, 1933 Shirley enjoyed many a happy time on her family’s farm.  She attended high school in Elmvale and met her husband Jim there at a street dance.  After marrying she put her business certificate and amazing math skills to work as a bookkeeper for Harris Electric, Eaton’s and at CKVR until 1960 when she left to start her family.

 In 1972 Shirley and Jim moved to Jarratt where they as partners successfully ran Handy’s Service Center together for16 years before moving into Orillia. Shirley then worked at the Orillia Co-Op until retiring in 1999. While living in Jarratt she joined the Jarratt-Creighton Women’s Institute. After retiring she volunteered her time in the gift shop at the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital.

Shirley was gifted with a talent for baking wonderful treats especially her famous butter tarts.  She adored visits and talking with her grandchildren, enjoyed gardening, phone calls and socializing with friends and relatives, as well as camping, motorcycling, boating and snowmobiling. Shirley snowmobiled as recently as March 2020 with the Bass Lake Snowrunners.  Board and card games, especially euchre were another of Shirley’s favourite activities, played with family and friends.

Shirley will be missed for her love and devotion of family, her kind, gentle and generous soul, quick wit and her genuine caring of others.

A joint funeral service for the late Shirley Ruby Handy (nee Archer) (May 20, 1933 to December 30, 2020) & James Ronald Handy (October 14, 1932 to February 08, 2023) will be held on Saturday September 30, 2023 at the Lynn-Stone Funeral Homes at 15 Yonge St. S., Elmvale, ON.

A visitation will be held from 11:00 am until the time of the funeral service in the chapel at 12 noon.

Reception at the funeral home following the funeral service.

Their cremated ashes will be interred at the Allenwood Cemetery following the reception.

If desired, as an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made in Shirley’s & James’s memory to The Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.