Bernice Handler

Mrs. Bernice Handler of Maplewood passed away at her home, under hospice care, on Saturday October 27, 2012. She was also cared for with great devotion by her private health aide, Vicky, during her last months. She will be remembered by family, friends, and neighbors as one who enjoyed the simplest pleasures of home and family life, who treasured her children, and for her endless hospitality to all her friends and neighbors. She lived in her home in Maplewood for almost 50 years. Colomba "Bernice" Zoppi was born in Newark, N.J., in 1918 of Italian American immigrant parents. She was the oldest daughter in her large family. She was trained as a secretary, and during the Great Depression, she obtained employment in Newark under President Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration. After WWII, she married Herbert Handler, who had served in the 82nd Airborne Division durimg the war. They had many decades together until Mr. Handler's death in 1987. Mrs. Handler is survived by her son Robert, daughter Janice, granddaughter Sheila, and her daughter-in-law, Vini. She is also survived by three brothers, Ernie, John, and Armand, several cousins, her niece Debra, and several nephews. She is predeceased by parents, one sister, and several brothers as well as a brother-in-law Sydney. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all. Friends and relatives may visit to reflect on Mrs. Handler's life at the Union Funeral Home Lytwyn & Lytwyn 1600 Stuyvesant Ave, Union NJ, on Thursday November 1, from 2-6pm. A burial will take place on Friday at 1:00pm at Quantico National Cemetery, Triangle, VA Donations to St. Barnabas Hospice would be appreciated.