Miriam J. Handley

Miriam (Miller) Jervis Handley, resident of the Legacy at North Augusta in Staunton, VA, died on February 14, 2025.

She is survived by her children, John Elliott Handley of Falls Church, VA, and Sarah Margaret Handley of Charlottesville, VA; her daughter-in-law, Elena Maria (Hidalgo) Handley; her grandchildren, Laura Kathryn, Alex Elliott, James Michael, and Joseph Edward; her granddaughters-in-law, Jess Miers and Abby Hall; her brother, Robert A. Jervis; her sister-in-law, Linda Radtke of Montpelier, VT; and her cousin, Herb H. Jervis and Mary Jervis of Havana, FL. She shared the last independent years of her life with her partner, Barbara Puzanskas, now of Harrisonburg, VA. 

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) Freed Handley of Roanoke, VA.

Miriam was born April 21, 1935, in Wilmington, DE to the late Alfred Alkazin and Frances Freed Jervis. 

She graduated from Douglass College at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ in 1957 with a degree in music, concentrating in piano and organ. She served as organist at Colonial Presbyterian Church, Roanoke, VA, St. John Lutheran Church, Roanoke, VA, and Christ Ascension Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, PA. She was married in 1957 to the Reverend George Elliott Handley. They shared an almost 40-year marriage and were devoted and loving parents and grandparents.

Miriam was a long-time member of the American Guild of Organists, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and the Waynesboro Community Concert Association, as well as other local music clubs and organizations. She was a life-long blood donor, providing both blood and plasma donations totaling forty gallons. Additionally, she was an active hospital and Meals on Wheels volunteer.

A service of celebration for her life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Staunton. The family will greet friends and loved ones afterward. 

A private committal will be held later at St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fishersville, VA.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the exceptional care Miriam received at the Legacy at North Augusta and through Legacy Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to: Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church (http://christlutheranstaunton.org/  |  2807 North Augusta Street, Staunton, VA 24401), ELCA World Hunger or Lutheran Disaster Response (https://give.elca.org/page/73064/donate/  |  P.O. Box 1809, Merrifield, VA 22116), or to the  American Red Cross (https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/  | PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037).

Arrangements are being handled by Henry Funeral Home.