Estelle Rose Handler (nee Voda), 94, died peacefully on December 10, 2019 surrounded by her devoted husband of 72 years, Dr. Fred Handler, and her loving family. Children Drs. Nancy (Marshall) Levine, Atlanta, GA; Dr. Michael (Gabrielle) Handler, Overland Park, KS; Gary (Jutta) Handler, Liberty, MO; and Elizabeth (Susan Kron) Handler, Alexandria, VA. She was preceded in death by her son, Dr. Robert (Diane) Handler and her sister Cyrene Feldman. Grandchildren: Matthew Levine, Julie (Eli) Hammerman, Dr. Nathan (Katelyn) Handler, Daniel Handler, Benjamin Handler, Stacy Handler, and David Handler. Great grandchildren: Noah Benjamin and Molly Rose Hammerman, Tyler Evan Levine, Theodore Robert and Henry Lorne Handler. Sisters Lillian (the late Alvin) Goldman and Marlene Eisenstein. 

Estelle Handler was a St. Louis native, born to Henry and Lena Essman Voda in 1925. She graduated from Soldan High School in 1944, and then attended Jewish Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1947. Estelle thereafter served in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps, and later worked as a surgical nurse at Jewish Hospital.  Estelle married her childhood sweetheart in 1947, and they eventually moved to Jefferson City, MO to raise their family.  While in Jefferson City, Estelle was a dedicated volunteer for Planned Parenthood, League of Women Voters, and Meals on Wheels, in between raising her busy brood of five.  Estelle and Fred later returned to their native St. Louis, where Estelle spent her time serving as President of Shaare Zedek Synagogue Sisterhood and volunteering at the Science Center.  She loved theater, the symphony, reading and politics. But most of all, Estelle loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  She was never happier than when she was watching the younger generation playing in her midst.

Estelle will be remembered as a strong and steady matriarch who always told the hard truth, knew how to tease with the best of them, but knew also to laugh at herself along the way. 

Funeral service Friday, December 13, 10:30am at Rindskopf-Roth Funeral Chapel, 5216 Delmar Blvd with interment to follow at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road. Visitation with Estelle’s family beginning at 10:00am.  Memorial contributions to Kol Rinah Congregation, 829 N. Hanley Road, St. Louis, MO 63130, Evelyn’s House BJC Hospice, BJC Foundation for Hospice, PO Box 790369, St. Louis, 63179 or a charity of your choice.