Vitaline C. Handy

Vitaline C. Handy, 85, of Columbia, MD, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Vitaline was born on December 16th, 1938, to Antone Correia and Anna Perry Correia in Providence, Rhode Island. She was the first member of her family to attend college, studying at Bryant College where she met her beloved husband, Jim. After moving to Maryland, she became an active member of St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church where she served as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and in the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary.

Vitaline retired from the University of Maryland at the age of 81 where she worked in grants and contract accounting for over 30 years. She enjoyed needlework and knitting and shared her gift by making and delivering prayer shawls to individuals who were battling cancer and other serious illnesses. She was an avid game player, frequently challenging her caregivers to a game of Scrabble that she would win more often than not.

A loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she is survived by her 5 children, Beth Miller, Anna Frail (Bruce), Shaun Handy, Martin Handy (Anne), and Brigid Handy-Williams (Patrick), 15 grandchildren, Holly Miller (Courtney), Tanya Stout (Joe), Sean Miller, Amber Normand, TJ Frail (Renee), Ben Frail (Robyn), Devin Marshall (Sean), Dylan Handy (Katherine), Ashley Handy (Felix), Kaitlin Handy, Tessa Handy, Brittany Handy, Desmond Williams, Jack Williams and Alex Williams, and 10 great grandchildren, Kennedy, Hattie, Rowan, Lillian, Emily, Chase, Collin, Walter, Henry, and Lidia.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, Jim, her sister Anna, brother Bernard, nephews Roy and Buddy, niece Joann, and grandson in law Stephen.

A visitation will be held on Thursday December 5th, 5-8pm at the Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A. 313 Talbott Avenue Rt 198 W, Laurel, MD 20707. Funeral Service is at 11 am on Friday December 6th at St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church, 114 St Mary’s Pl, Laurel, MD 20707.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Vitaline and in honor of her grandson Desmond to The Next Step Clubhouse, a program for individuals with special needs. P.O. Box 11467, Charlotte, NC 28220 or online at https://www.nextstepclubhouse.org/donate

Online condolences can be made at www.donaldsonfuneralhome.com