Dianne Ruth Handy

Dianne Ruth Handy, age 83, formerly of St. Johnsbury, VT, recently of Barre, VT, passed away on Monday, September 25, 2023, surrounded by her family. She had stage 3 ovarian cancer.

Dianne was born on August 16, 1940, at home in Gilman, VT. She was the second of 10 children born to George M. and Mary D. (Nault) Carpenter. As a little girl, Dianne loved the outdoors and her Lunenburg friends and got up to mischief with her sister Maren. At 11 years old she became Catholic thanks to Jeannette and Florence Roy and her mom’s prayers. She graduated from Concord High School in 1958 and went to work for Ralston Purina. It was at work that she met Anthony Handy. They went to Forrest Lake on their first date on July 7, 1959, and were married 4 months later on November 7, 1959. The couple shared 53 years together before Tony’s death in 2012. While her children were small, she wanted to stay home, so she ran an in-home daycare. Over the years, she also worked at Archie’s Restaurant, the Lincoln Inn, Citizens Bank, and finally, at Corner Medical as a receptionist. Dianne loved her Catholic faith. She was very active in the St. John The Evangelist Church, now Corpus Christi, volunteering as a Reach Out moderator for teenagers, she also was a religious education teacher for first, second, and fifth grades, and she was a lector. She helped with the Christmas Bazaar, counted the Sunday collections, and served on the parish council. Dianne used her time and talents in funeral music ministry, as an Altar Angel, and a member of Cursillo, a charismatic prayer group. She could often be found praying in the Adoration Chapel. Along with Tony, she tended the flower gardens at the church and the rectory for over 20 years. During her lifetime, she served her parish family in these and many other ways.

In her adult years, Dianne enjoyed tenting, dancing with Tony to big band music, and baking, especially cakes with fancy decorations. She loved the gatherings and celebrations, cooking and mealtimes, playing in the snow, and making the children’s Halloween costumes. She was so happy with and proud of her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include her 4 children: Solomon “Sully” Handy and wife Kim and Samuel “Sam” Handy and wife Megan, all of California, Elisa Maurice and husband Rodney of Barre, VT, and Jennifer Bassett and husband Jack of St. Johnsbury, VT; 2 brothers: Robert Carpenter and partner Diana, and George Carpenter Jr. and wife Deborah; 4 sisters: Maren Downing, Janice Hemond, and husband Mike, Patricia Stetson and husband Doug, and Margaret “Peg” Keach and husband Dick; a brother-in-law: Gene Comeau; 14 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; many, many nieces and nephews; and several godchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband: Tony Handy; her parents; a brother: Bill Carpenter; an 11-day-old sister: Georgia Mae; a stillborn brother: Georgie; nephews: Dennis Comeau, Tyler Keach, and Joseph Carpenter; and a brother-in-law: Mac Downing.  

Family and friends may pay their respects on Saturday, September 30, 2023, 9-11 AM at Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer Street, St. Johnsbury, VT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 11:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in St. Johnsbury with burial to immediately follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Johns Street in St. Johnsbury.

Donations can be made in Dianne’s name to Corpus Christi Parish (49 Winter Street, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819), Good Shepherd Catholic School (121 Maple Street, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819), and St. Monica Catholic Church (79 Summer St, Barre, VT 05641).

Memories and condolence can be shared online at saylesfh.com