Lydia Marie Handel

October 10, 1920 – November 10, 2017.

Our loving and precious mother Lydia Marie Handel, 97, of Marana Arizona passed away in the early morning hours of November 10, 2017. She is together again with her beloved husband David and her son David. She grew up in Chicago Illinois where she became an RN. She met her husband at a Dance for the service men during World War 2 and they fell in love. She left nursing to become a devoted mother and wife. After her children were older, she went back to College and graduated with Honors. She became a teacher for a short time but she was sent to the Ghetto of Chicago and her husband would not allow her to continue so she applied to work at the Social Security Office where her husband worked and they continued to work together until they retired at 55. She and her husband traveled the country after retirement and decided to settle in Mesa Arizona. Lydia loved to travel and went on many overseas trips. She rode on Camels and elephants, saw the Great Wall of China. Lydia was an adventurer. She and her husband lived in Mesa for many years before she relocated to Tucson. She very much enjoyed playing Bingo at the Marana Senior Center. She lived with her Daughter, Janet, in Marana for the last few years of her life and both enjoyed sharing their lives together. They had many adventures together and just enjoyed each other’s company. Lydia is survived by her Daughter, Janet Markowitz (Gerald) her Grandson, David Ingalls and her Daughters Carol Block (Ivan) and Diane Gelinas (David). She is also survived by her Grandchildren, Lara Meier, Michael Ingalls, Sandra Handel, Riki Meier, Mark Handel, Michael Handel, Laura Staack, Willow Lune, Ashley Smith, Gregory Handel, David Handel, Linda Handel and many great grandchildren. She is greatly missed by her family and friends. Life is empty without her. We love her and will always miss her.