ESTHER NELSON HANDY, 94, of Sarasota, Florida and formerly of Crisfield, died Thursday, November 11, 2010 at the Gardens of North Port in North Port, Florida.

Born April 7, 1916 in Crisfield, she was the daughter of the late William R. and Annie E. Daugherty Nelson. Her husband, Robert Handy, preceded her in death in 1991. She had been making her home in Florida since 1999, and had been a winter resident since 1988.

She retired as a receptionist for JJ Haines & Co. Inc. in Baltimore in 1977. She attended St. James United Methodist Church in Sarasota until May 2009.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Nelson Ray and Lois Handy of Crisfield; a granddaughter, Regina Duncan and husband Paul of North Port, Florida; a step-granddaughter, Michele Mynaugh of Harford County, MD; two great-grandchildren, Joseph Reid and Nicholas Reid of North Port; and four step-great-grandchildren, Joseph Mynaugh, Carrie Mynaugh, and Holly Mynaugh of Harford County, MD and Misty Nicole Duncan of Ashville, NC.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 2 PM at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home where friends may call one hour prior. The Rev. Tom Blakelock will officiate. Interment will be in Sunnyridge Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be sent to TideWell Hospice and Palliative Care, 12731 Tamiami Trail South, North Port, FL 34287 or Mariners United Methodist Church, Crisfield, MD 21817.

To send condolences, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com