Vida Colleen "Coke" Handgen passed peacefully on March 9, 2025, in Sarasota, Fla., after a valiant and courageous journey with Alzheimer's disease. Sincere thanks to her Empath Tidewell Hospice team, Lighthouse staff, Fox Therapy team and ActivAge Sarasota for their TLC and dedication.
Born in Warsaw, Ms. Handgen graduated from Leesburg High School and Manchester College, and received her master's degree from Ball State University. She relocated from Indiana to Anna Maria, Fla., in the late 1960s and then in 1978 to the home she designed in DeSoto Acres, Sarasota.
Retired from Sarasota County schools, where she served as guidance counselor at Sarasota High School and as director of guidance at Pineview School, Ms. Handgen was the first woman to serve as a high school athletic director in Sarasota County.
Predeceased by parents, Vida Louise Bricker Handgen and Edward Albert Handgen; brothers, Edward Allen Handgen and Lewis Devon Handgen; cousin, Helen Heiman; and aunt, Joan Loewenstein.
Survivors include niece, Kelly Dee Handgen Bernard and husband Donald Bernard; niece, Sabrina Handgen Johnson and husband Jay Johnson; nieces, Kim Lynette Handgen Sandstrom and Kristine Leigh Handgen; nephews, Erin Handgen and Kurt Devon Handgen; cousins: Randy Bricker, Elyse Remick, T.O. Loewenstein and Vicki Hulse; sister-in-law, Nancy Handgen; and Australian Shepherd dogs, Skeye and Sunni.
Other survivors include Coke's companion, Janet; dear friends: Denise and Lou, Jill, Cheryl, Lorie, Sharon, Kelley, Shani, Sue, Aurelia, Lisa, Robyn, Charlotte, Pam, Chrisi, Pam, BJ and Ben; many more close friends and neighbors, and former students and colleagues. Coke cherished all animals, especially her dogs, and loved nature, wildlife, the water, riding her motorcycle and John Deere tractor and driving her RV.
Remembered for her beautiful, loving and contagious smile, laugh, and especially endearing wink of approval, Coke enjoyed drinking Coca-Cola from an 8-ounce glass bottle and eating a pint of ice cream before bedtime. She lived each day with happiness, energy, independence, determination, enthusiasm, curiosity and ingenuity, had a playful and adventurous nature, and desired to help others and advocate for all. Coke was young at heart and always on the go.
Honoring Coke's wishes, there will be no memorial service.
Interment of Ms. Handgen's cremains and those of her many beloved dogs will be at Oswego Cemetery, Warsaw.
Donations in her memory may be made to the pet charity of your choice, to the Aging Services Program at JFCS of the Suncoast, or to Empath Tidewell Hospice.