Marie Handl, age 82 of Calgary, Alberta passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, April 11, 2020 after a long and courageous battle with congestive heart failure. Born on April 27, 1937 in the Czech Republic, she was predeceased by her parents Jan and Marie Tesarik and her first love, Milan Handl. Marie is survived by her two daughters, Julie Squires and Lenka Handl, two grandchildren, Jordan and Jenessa Squires, sister Anna (Josef) Dibdakova and a number of close friends.
Marie had an overwhelming love for the mountains, the outdoors, nature and animals. She was a talented artist with a great passion for gardening and sewing, and was well known in her Calgary Bowness neighborhood for her specialty European baking and her mystical garden. Born with a passion for humanity, Marie was loving, selfless, kind, gentle and ever present to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. She had a gift of inspiring everyone who came into her life.
We wish to thank the nurses and staff of Cedars Villa Extendicare, Willow Unit in Calgary, for their tremendous care and loving support.
A Celebration of Life will be arranged after the Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the SPCA Humane Society.
14 Comments
My husband and I only met Marie once, and long enough to feel her kindness and gentle personality radiate around her. She shared her unbelievable Christmas baking with us, and we knew instantly where Lenka got her gene of perfection from! We know that Marie is in a peaceful place at this time, and we feel blessed to have met her. The world is a better place for gentle, loveing souls such as Marie.
I never met Marie but I know her daughter Lenka well and I know she will be missed????
I have not met Marie, but felt like I knew her through her daughter and my dear friend, Lenka. Marie sounded like a fun loving, caring and passionate woman who loved to cook and bake her European delacacies. Sincere condolences to the whole family and treasure the memories.
While I didn’t know Marie I know her daughter Lenka and Lenka Is a true testament to the love and character bestowed upon her by her mother. May you Rest In Peace and know that your time here was well invested. Your beauty will live on.
Our thoughts are with you Lenko. Sincere condolences to you and your family during these difficult days.
Dear Lenka
My sincere condolences Lenka to you and your family on the passing of your mom. It appears you share her compassions, kindness and spirituality.
May her soul be at peace
Dear Lenka
Sorry for your tremendous loss. Mother is undivided part of our Soul and body,
Mother itself is a heavenly soul, she brings us in this wonderful world.
She teaches us how to walk, talk, eat and takes care of us until end of the life.
I had done a prayer this morning for departed soul.
We never be able to repay for what our mom does for us,
but I knew that you did a wonderful job to take care of your mother very well in her much needed time.
In India we always say “ the daughter is ocean of kindness and love” you had proved it right.
I am confident she is in gods good hand and in heavenly in peace.
God gives you and your family strength to overcome this sadness.
Please take care of your self and hope to see you soon
Shekhar Dave
My most heart felt condolences to friends and family for the loss of such a generous person as Marie. She shared the same name as my mom and treated me with a kindness that lasts a life time. I give thanks to knowing her and to have enjoyed sharing time with her on her journey through life. Marie made you feel special when you were in her company, born in war time, survived Soviet oppression and made her way to Canada to live out her dreams in and around the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. I could not have come across a more genuine soul in my youth growing up, those memories run deep and meaningfully, I’m a better person today because of her caring love. So thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts of how devoted she was and how I appreciate the efforts she made every day to loving everyone, she was a humble and strong woman that set a great example for us. I will miss your smile, thank you for showing me such kindness. Kuc’a
Marie has been a beautiful and special person in our lives. I remember staying at her house when we were children, playing with her daughters, Lenka and Julie. She shared her baking tips as I sat and watched. And how sad I was when it was time to leave. These are only a few of the many precious memories that I will always cherish.
She was a beautiful lady, I had the opportunity meeting her a few times. My condolences to the family.
Maruska will always stay in our memories as the kind and lovely lady, she was.
Marie has been generous person and dear friend. I had shared many campfires with her in the Rockies she loved so much. She will be missed by many.
Rest in peace Marie, you deserve it.
I’m sorry for your loss, Lenka. May Marie’s soul rest in peace. Marie was such a loving, caring lady with all the conversations I heard.
Marenko, you were my best friend for over 45 years, we have gone together through thick and thin, in the last few years before you went into nursing home, we were in daily contact. I miss you every day, more than anyone can imagine, but you are in my heart forever, which means, you are always with me, like the angel you gave me before you left this world! Rest In Peace!