Elizabeth Freed "Beth" Handley passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, March 21, 2014, following a brief illness.

Born December 1, 1958, in Queens, New York, Beth grew up in Waynesboro, Virginia.

She graduated from (Patrick Henry High School, Roanoke, VA, in 1976 and) Roanoke College summa cum laude in 1980.

Beth worked at Alexander's restaurant and First Union National Bank before joining the Roanoke Times as a copy editor. She won numerous awards and held membership in several prestigious editorial societies. She also singlehandedly revamped the Roanoke Times' stylebook.

Beth is survived by her loving and devoted companion of 12 years, Craig Zackmann; her parents, George E. Handley of Winchester Virginia, and Miriam J. Handley of Staunton Virginia; brother, John E. Handley and wife, Elena M. Handley of Falls Church; sister, Sarah M. Handley of Charlottesville; and a niece and three nephews. Also surviving are her furry feline children, Julius and Murphy; and Bill and Dorothy Zackmann, who considered her the daughter they always wanted.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to FERAL cat rescue (feralroanoke@gmail.com), to Public Radio WVTF (www.wvtf.org), or to Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp (www.carolinefurnace.org).

A memorial service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Roanoke 2 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2014.

The family will receive guests in the fellowship hall after the service.

"The dust returns to earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God, who gave it."

[The News-Virginian – Waynesboro, Virginia – Wednesday March 26, 2014 – Page 5]