Cataumet - Arlene W. Perry (Handy) Wheeler, 92, of Depot Rd., passed away peacefully at her daughter's home in Sturbridge with her loving family by her side on Monday, Oct. 16th, 2023.

Her beloved husband of 22 years, Edward H. Wheeler, Jr. died Sept. 23, 2023. She leaves her son, Bruce Shade of Yarmouth; her five daughters, Candace Shade of Urbana, MO, Deborah Limerick of VA, Rebecca Chase of St. Louis, MO, Heather Holmes and her husband Roy of Middleboro, MA and Heidi G. Perry-Gorgone and her husband Daniel whom she lived with in Sturbridge, MA; a step-son, Leslie Perry of Monument Beach; her cherished 20 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and many other family members. Arlene was predeceased by two stepsons, Wallace Judson Perry, III and Harry Perry.

Arlene was born and raised in the family homestead in Cataumet, a small village in Bourne, on Cape Cod.  She was the daughter of Clifton F. and Annie Lee (Graham) Handy. Arlene worked for many years as a talented seamstress making sails for Squeateague Sail Loft and at Hood Marina. She also worked as the Direct Marketing Coordinator for the Christian Science Monitor in Boston. In her earlier years she worked for GE in Cincinnati, OH, as well as the Secretary for the Bourne School System and Bourne Board of Appeals. Arlene was an avid gardener and was growing organic produce and practicing clean eating in the early 80's way before it was popular. She and her family had a self-sufficient farm on the Cape and would raise all their animals and grow all their own vegetables. Her organic/sustainable lifestyle was covered by PM Magazine followed by news articles in the early 80's. To say Arlene loved playing the organ is an understatement. She was a devote Christian Scientist and blessed the Cataumet United Methodist Church with being their organist for more than 75 years. Arlene enjoyed sewing and traveling the world. Arlene loved her family and enjoyed her time spent with her children who she was known to as "Mumma" and her grandchildren who she was known to as "Mimi" or "Grammy."

A celebration of life for Arlene will be held on Sunday, November 12th at 11 AM in Handy Hall at the Cataumet United Methodist Church, 1091 County Rd, Cataumet, MA 02534.

Burial will be private.