Ruth A. Handy, 96

Born: July 5, 1916

Died: Nov. 24, 2012

Ruth’s life began on July 5, 1916, in Niles, the daughter of Louis and Emma (Wolf) DeGraff.

She was united in marriage to Alfred J. Handy on June 21, 1941, in Dowagiac.

Ruth was employed by Simplicity Pattern and Kaiser-Frazer.

She enjoyed family gatherings, games, card playing and loved to dance.  She was a parishioner of Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac.

Her loving family includes: her daughter, Darrell Anne Brooks of Dowagiac; grandchildren, Casie (Mark) Smith, Kelly M. Brooks, Toby (Tammy) Brooks and Carie (Rob) Richcreek; great-grandchildren, Nichole and Natalie Smith, Robyn (Corey) Skorupa, Tony Brooks, Brittany (Jeff) Yauchstetter, Jeff (Jenni) Winters and Jon and Jeremy Richcreek; great-grandchildren, Caleb Smith, Harper Turner, Chyanne and Miriam Skorupa and Emma Yauchstetter; sister-in-law, Marvel DeGraff; and many nieces and nephews in Dowagiac, South Bend and Berrien Springs.

Ruth passed away at her home on Saturday Nov. 24, 2012. She is preceded in death by her husband Alfred in 1993, son Denny in 1960, sisters Gladys Hill and Garnett Brooks and brothers Louis and Clifford DeGraff.

Her family will gather with friends on Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. at Yazel and Clark Chapel, where a rosary service will begin at 6 p.m.  A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church led by Father Kevin Covert. She will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac.

Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Borgess Hospice.  Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Ruth at www.yazel-clark.com.