Mary Rose Handley

Mary Rose Handley, 92, of Santa Barbara, California passed away on November 1st, 2023 at her home. She leaves behind her loving children, John, Anne, Matt, Mark, and Liz. She was preceded in death by her husband John and her brother Warren.

A loving Mom and grandmother, she was known as “Nana” to her eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was celebrated at a service November 17th at Saint Raphael’s Catholic Church, 5444 Hollister Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93111.

Mary was born on October 1st, 1931, in Webster Groves, Missouri. She graduated from Marymount College in Missouri with a degree in child psychology which she used expertly for many years! She married her husband John in 1951 and together they had a fruitful and storied life.

She was a caring and patient mother and grandmother and wife who never passed on an adventure. In 1967 John and Mary moved to Europe with their brood ages 6-14, living in a small town in Germany. The family went on to explore Europe in their VW bug and VW campervan. She also made welcoming homes in St Louis, Long Beach, Macon, Cincinnati, and Connecticut before settling in Santa Barbara.

Mary Rose made our home the happiest place on Earth, always welcoming many of her kid’s friends. She could beat anyone at Backgammon, and we all went back for more. There was nothing that she would not do for anyone in a pickle. Her heart was on her sleeve, huge and generous.

Donations in Mary’s name can be made to the Wounded Seabee Scholarship Fund at https://seabee.networkforgood.com/projects/41766-building-a-can-do-legacy-through-education