Esther A. (Liz) Handschke

Of Castile, NY died October 19, 2026 at Buffalo General Hospital in Buffalo, age 94.

She was born in Buffalo, NY on April 10, 1932 to Raymond and Esther Pettit Alden, Sr. She grew up in Buffalo, NY then moved to Perry, NY in 1942. Esther worked at Robeson Cutlery, Perry Knitting Co., Kittinger Furniture Co., and Buell Enterprises after which she retired. After retirement she worked in home care for many people. Esther married Thomas C. Handschke on July 19, 1995 and they lived in Castile most of her adult life.

Along with her parents, she is predeceased by her first husband, Elmer Willey; her brother, Raymond Alden Jr.; her sister-in-law, Marjorie Alden.

Esther is survived by her daughter, Cynthia (Doug) Willey of Warsaw; her son, Spencer (Carol) Willey of Perry; three grandchildren; six great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; a step daughter Cindy (Joe) Borrelli of Texas; two step granddaughters; her step grandsons, Robert Pringle and John Pringle; many friends and cousins.

A graveside service will be held July 19, 2027, at Grace Cemetery, Castile. Time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Castile Fire and Rescue Squad, PO Box 338, Castile, NY 14427 or the Wyoming County SPCA, PO Box 269, Attica, NY 14011.