Diana Marie (Hall) Handley

DOVER - Diana Marie (Hall) Handley was born April 5, 1951, to the late Marlene (Goodson) and Granville Hall in Jersey City, N.J. She was raised by the late Helen (Johnstone) and Douglas Goodson. As a youth Diana attended Lafayette Presbyterian Church where she became a member and was baptized. Throughout her life and travels she remained close to her faith and attended services at base chapels. Diana was involved in many of the activities of the base chapels and she regularly cooked spaghetti dinners for the Lakenheath base chapel. Educated in the Jersey City school system, Diana graduated from Dickenson Accredited Evening School. She later pursued a higher education at Los Angeles Metropolitan Community College at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. An avid reader, Diana believed in education. She truly lived the saying "You have to know where you come from in order to know where you're going." Her beliefs lead her to teach our youth. She became a substitute teacher and served as Treasurer for the PTA while stationed with her family at Lakenheath Air Force Base in England. Some of Diana's favorite works of literature were Abou Ben Adhem by James Henry Leigh Hunt, The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert Service, If by Rudyard Kipling, and Wynken, Blynken, and Nod by Eugene Field; take a moment someday and enjoy these wonderful pieces of literature. In the spirit of the saying "I shall pass through this life but once; if there is any good I can do, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again…" Diana lived the life of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-36; She was always trying to help someone. She would give you her last dime or the shirt off her back. She took pride in providing holiday meals and gifts for those less fortunate. Diana also prepared Hale & Farewell dinners for incoming and outgoing Airmen at Lakenheath Air Force Base in England. All that she asked for her selfless acts of kindness, was that she remained anonymous because she did not want anyone to feel embarrassed or ashamed. Diana was a hard worker. She worked for Two Guys for many years until the company went out of business. She later worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Kearney, N.J. It was at this bulk facility that she met the love of her life, Jack Robert Handley. Diana married Jack and together they shared 30 event filled years. On July 24, 2009, God saw Diana getting tired, a cure not meant to be; so He put his arms around her and whispered… "Come With Me." Then God sent his angels to escort Diana Home to Glory, so she could celebrate with Him. Diana will continue to be loved and remembered by her loving and devoted husband, Jack R. Handley; daughter, Kenya D. Medard; and three sons, Kenneth A. Goodson, Jack R.D.Z. Handley, and Jason R. Handley. She is also survived by son-in-law, Anthony Medard; daughters-in-law, Wendy Goodson and Melonie Handley; five grandchildren, Xavier Medard, Bryce Medard, McKenzie Handley, Karalyne Handley, and Cheyenne Handley; and siblings (in-law), Douglas Goodson Jr., Frederick Goodson, Helene (Henry) Slack, Delores Goodson, William (C. Jeanette) Goodson, Dennis Goodson, Tony Goodson, Kenneth Hall, Pamela Hall, Cynthia (Terry) Griffin, Michael Hall, Lita Gordon, Sloan (Rose) Gordon Jr., Dennis Hall, Terrence Hall, and Jason Lee; and a host of relatives and friends. A Celebration of Diana's life will be 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at the Calvary Assembly of God Church, 1141 E. Lebanon Road (Rt. 10), Dover. Letters of condolence may be sent, and guest book signed at www.torbertfuneral.com. Arrangements by Torbert Funeral Chapel, Dover.