Catherine F. Handle

Catherine Farley Handle, of Bowie, Maryland, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Born July 29, 1929, to John Francis Farley, a railroad worker, and Catherine Virginia Reilly, a home maker, in Hoboken, New Jersey. Their third child, Catherine was the first daughter of ten siblings. After graduating from St. Michael’s High School in 1948, Catherine went to work as a secretary for DuPont in their New York City office enjoying daily milkshakes and frequent Broadway shows, courtesy of her employer.

Catherine met Martin Handle in high school, but started dating after graduation. They became engaged, and married on June 28, 1952, after Marty’s discharge from the Army. Thirty-five years of married life took them from their native New Jersey to Maryland. Their love of children and family brought them six children: baby Martin, Jr., and baby Mary Grace, both of whom died in infancy, Margaret Handle St.Jean, William Francis Handle, baby Catherine, who died in infancy, and Barbara Handle Barry.

Catherine returned to work full time in 1973, eventually retiring from the National Science Foundation in 1998. She was a relocation specialist, helping many scientists, researchers and their families to comfortably relocate for their work with the Foundation.

Always passionate about her Catholic faith, she was a longtime member of St. Pius X Sodality and Eucharistic Minister. She also taught CCD classes to special needs students for many years with her good friend, Pat Shelton. In retirement she helped out with Meals on Wheels, and often gave rides to seniors needing to get to the grocery store or to church.

Catherine was a talented seamstress, famously whipping up a beautiful evening ensemble in an afternoon , as well as prom dresses, which put her in control of exactly how properly her daughters would be outfitted for formal dances. She knitted, crocheted many hats, mittens and sweaters over the years, and embroidered baby blankets, and keepsakes.

She and Marty were long-time participants in the bowling league at the Fairlanes alley in Bowie. They traveled to Hawaii and California, and went on a cruise or two. Marty was a big sports fan, and for many years they had season tickets to the Redskins at RFK. They sat near the band, which she enjoyed immensely. One highlight was traveling to the 1981 Super Bowl. After the unexpected death of her dear husband in a car accident in 1988, Catherine found new experiences and adventures in travel abroad.

Catherine was predeceased by her parents, John and Catherine Farley; her cherished husband, Martin William Handle; her beloved children, Martin, Jr., Mary Grace and Catherine; dear great grandson, Luke Bogle; her brothers, John, Raymond and Gerard Farley, and sisters, Patricia Breault, Helen McKeown and Margaret Farley.

She is survived by her three children: Margaret (Steven) St.Jean, William (Patricia) Handle, and Barbara (Albert) Barry; her fourteen grandchildren: Peter (Bonnie) St.Jean, Mary (Matthew) Clevenger, Paul (Cailee) St.Jean, Andrew (Lauren) St.Jean, Anne (Tyler) Fehr, Philip (Anna) St.Jean, Thomas (Amy) St.Jean, David (Laura) Handle, William (Kelsey) Handle, Christina (Gabor) Papp, Anthony (Amity) Handle, Caitlin (Raymond) Lawrence, Matthew (Yuika) Barry, and Jennifer (Drew) Bogle; and her eighteen great grandchildren: Liam and Norah Handle; Luke, Paul and Sylvie St.Jean; Margot, Camille and Wesley Clevenger; Lily, Noah, Piper, Summer and Eleanor St.Jean; Emma and Yuna Barry; Silas Bogle; Harper Handle, and Evelyn St.Jean. She is also survived by her sisters, Frances Fedkenheuer and Mary Burnetsky, and her brother, William C. Farley, ret. Maj., USMC, and many beloved in laws, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families would be appreciated. Mailing address: 4901 Eastern Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Their website is stanns.org