Virginia Marie Handy, 96, was born to Ethel and Frank Harkness in Sioux City, Iowa on February 8, 1926.  She passed away peacefully in her home on September 7, 2022.  When she was 5 years old, her family moved to Washington and settled in Whatcom County.  She was the oldest of five children.  She graduated from Mt. Baker High School in 1945.  She met her future husband, Allen at a local roller-skating rink, and they married in 1946.  They had three children, Allen Jr., Frank, and Laura.  She and Allen raised dairy cattle and always had a big garden.  They sold the cattle when they went to work for National Frozen Foods cannery in Burlington.  She worked there for 25 years before she retired.  She was a member of the Samish Grange for 64 years.

She and Allen loved to travel and took many road trips to visit family and see the historical sights of America.  They enjoyed camping at the ocean with family and friends. She was an accomplished seamstress, making many quilts for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She adored and delighted in her family, especially the grandchildren.  She loved to read, especially stories about her childhood times, pioneers, and local history.  She enjoyed ceramics too.

She is survived by her children, Allen Jr. (Carol) Handy, Frank (Lynn) Handy and Laura (Ronald) Stence; sister, Mary (Lee) Barnhill; numerous nieces, nephews, and grandchildren; 14 great-great grandchildren.  She is in five-generation pictures a total of six times!

She was predeceased by her parents; brothers, Frank, John and Richard Harkness; two grandsons, Jonathan Handy and John Reeves.

We are so grateful for the care and attention Virginia received from Hospice of the Northwest.  A kinder and more caring team of individuals cannot be found.  We are also grateful for her caregiver, Chandra Middleton, who made sure Mom’s need were met, and was such a blessing.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00, Thursday, September 15, 2022 at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley, followed by the Graveside Committal at Saxon Cemetery, Acme, followed by a reception at the Samish Valley Grange at 4320 WA-9, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284.

Donations may be made to Hospice of the Northwest (227 Freeway Drive, Suite A, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273) or the Northwest Kidney Center (1010 SE Everett Mall, Suite 104, Everett, WA 98208)

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