Mary Susan (Stull) Handley was born on January 6, 1921 in Bloomington, Indiana, the first child of Reginald and Ardys Stull. She died in Tyler, Texas on November 4, 2014. Her beloved younger brother, Richard Brooks Stull, passed away in 1984. She graduated from Bloomington High School with honors in 1937, and from Indiana University with Phi Beta Kappa honors in 1941. While at I.U. she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, President of the Debate Team, majored in Speech and Theatre, and was President of I.U. Women, working closely with University President Herman B. Wells. While at the university, she met Stanley Dwight Handley of La Porte, Indiana, a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. They were married shortly after graduation in 1941 and soon were involved in moving around the country with the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Daughter Judith Susan was born in 1943, Richard Dwight in 1946, and David Stull in 1948. After the War, when Dwight began work with Brown & Bigelow Company, the family moved back to La Porte where Sue and Dwight were involved in many community activities. Sue made good use of her theatre experience with The Little Theatre Club, and her love of Shakespeare’s works with the Shakespeare Club. Dwight was an active Rotarian, and through Rotary initiated Career Day at La Porte High School. They were also highly involved at the La Porte Presbyterian Church where they raised their family. When Judi, Dick, and Dave reached Junior and Senior High School, Sue received her Master’s Degree from Rosary College, studying at the Sorbonne in Paris for part of the program. Her teaching career led her to develop creative and award-winning techniques to help Junior High School students learn French and have great fun at the same time.
Curious about their children’s involvement in Campus Crusade for Christ (now called Cru) at Indiana University, Dwight, Sue and Judi attended a Cru sponsored conference for the laity. Their spiritual renewal resulting from that experience launched several small discussion groups in homes. Sue’s involvement in Bible Study Fellowship led her to teach scores of women through the Community Bible Study curriculum, and led many to a new faith and appreciation of the life-changing impact of Jesus Christ.
Sue is survived by sons Richard (Suzanne), a radiologist in Tyler, TX, and David (Andrea), a Presbyterian pastor in Evanston, IL. Judi (Doug Hilbish) passed away in 1993 when son David (Kristin) and daughter Susan (Ryan Minnear) were in college and high school. During Judi’s 11 year treatments for cancer, Sue “Nana” was like a second mother to Dave and Susan. Sue and Dwight’s marriage of 68 years spawned 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Sue and Dwight were also very close to her brother, Dick Stull , wife Mary, and their children Jeff, Cindy, and Amy. They and their families have also been impacted by the warm love and contagious faith of Sue and Dwight. Dwight’s two brothers, the late Harold Handley and wife Barbara, and the late Kenneth Handley and wife Jane added to the Handley family four beloved nephews and nieces-Ken and Marti, Sara and Steve. They and their families have likewise felt Sue and Dwight’s love, faith, and support.
A Reception will be held on Friday, July 10, 2015 from 10:30AM-12 PM at the Bistro in the Best Western La Porte. A Graveside service will follow the reception at 12:30 at Pine Lake Cemetery
Online condolences may be shared at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com