Isabelle Handy

Isabelle Rae Handy, age 86, a lifelong resident of St. Johnsbury, passed away peacefully in her sleep the evening of February 22, 2025. She was the daughter of Richard Gabriel and Mary Barbara Handy. At the time of her death, Isabelle was a resident of Canterbury Inn in St. Johnsbury.

Isabelle was born November 29, 1938. Along with her two sisters, Annie and Marion, and brother, Gabriel, the Handy siblings contributed in various ways to the thriving St. Johnsbury business community that made St. Johnsbury exemplary in the 1960s and 70s. After graduating high school from Mount Saint Joseph Academy in 1956, Isabelle joined the work force - first as an employee of Ralston Purina Mill until its closing in 1974. Isabelle then worked as office manager for St Johnsbury Cable TV (which later became Helicon Cable Vision) until she eventually joined the St. Johnsbury office for the State of Vermont Department of Children and Families. Isabelle worked for the state until she retired.

Isabelle Handy led an independent, active and productive lifestyle. After retirement, she did volunteer work, including weekly hours committed to St. John's Church. Isabelle was dedicated to being available to family in need - whether by cooking, hosting, running errands, etc., for those indisposed. Isabelle was the first to show-up at any doorstep if she could be of assistance, and she was the last to leave. No distance, no task, no gesture of love and support were too great for Isabelle to extend from her heart and hand to those she loved. She worked and helped manage, The Shack, her family's convenient store on Railroad Street in the 1960s. After her regular full-time workday at Ralston Purina, Isabelle helped her grandmother and uncle at their Midway Drive-In Theater in Whitefield, NH. every summer evening and early Fall through the 1950s/1960s. Isabelle was resolute in her commitment to family and community throughout her life.

Isabelle did endure a series of medical hardships that challenged her spirit and resolve to the ultimate. Yet, she never complained. Isabelle's most reassuring and dependable feature was always her constant smile - her ability to see light even as circumstances were dim or dreary. Isabelle's smile and undefeatable, indomitable positivity were typical of her persevering nature and tenacity. While some might exhibit degrees of trauma, disappointment, despair, Isabelle never did. She was born into a household that instilled great worth in self-sufficiency. A household in which self-pity was never tolerated nor considered acceptable. The emphasis was on coping, on never burdening others but rather always contributing to and valuing shared bonds of love and support, bonds of community. Throughout her life, the example before her and the rule she followed for coping and survival were only to look ahead with courage, stamina, selflessness, and conviction that one must persevere no matter what. Isabelle was taught to see the world around her and those with whom she shared this world as neighbors and colleagues. Isabelle treated all with care and respect, always with sincerity. All felt welcomed in Isabelle's presence. All felt worth from her extraordinary capacity to care deeply and without judgment. Isabelle will be missed and remembered for the person she was.

Isabelle was predeceased by her parents, an infant sister, and her brother, Gabriel Richard Joseph Handy; her sisters Marion and Annie, Eugene Boivin, her brother-in-law, and Edward, Jimmy and Sheri Boivin, her nephews and niece.

Isabelle is survived by two great nieces and two great nephews, an aunt, Annette Handy of Bedford, NH, and numerous cousins.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Isabelle's name to: Canterbury Inn (46 Cherry St, Johnsbury, VT 05819), The Good Shepherd School (121 Maple Street, St. Johnsbury, Vt 05819), St Jude Children's Research Hospital (501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105), or St. John the Evangelist Church (49 Winter St. St. Johnsbury, VT 05819)

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10AM on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 49 Winter Street in St. Johnsbury. Burial will immediately follow at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in St. Johnsbury, VT.

Memories and condolences may be shared with family at saylesfh.com.