Lou Handley Cane was born Aug. 11, 1924 in Narka, Kansas to Gladys and Ross Handley. She was the fourth oldest of what would eventually be the 12 Handley children.
Lou grew up in the small town of Gurley, Neb. on the family farm. When she was old enough, she left immediately to find a life for herself in Denver with her older sister, Fern.
At the start of World War II, she joined the “WOWCATS” and tried her hand at Army vehicle maintenance in support of the war effort. Later, she moved to Seattle, where she soon met Robert “Bob” Cane — the story goes that they fell in love at first sight, and all that knew them can attest that they stayed in love for the entire 67 years of marriage.
One of Lou’s greatest life wishes was to be a mother, and when she found out she could not have her own, she found a way to make it happen. She brought Michael B. Cane and Gregory R. Cane into the family and raised them with love, grace and unrivaled patience.
Lou was an adventurous spirit who made a concerted effort to live life to its fullest.
After Bob retired from the City of Los Angeles, the couple took a calculated risk and bought a hotel in Oklahoma and, later, another in Ocean City. Lou and Bob were avid travelers in their retirement, taking their Dolphin RV across the United States, before branching out into the world, visiting the Great Wall of China and Aruba well up in their later years.
Lou and Bob settled in Oak Harbor, Wash. in 1997 to be closer to their grandchildren. They enjoyed walking on the beaches, playing bridge and pinochle at the senior center, beating their younger relations at poker, and traveling whenever they could.
Lou was a master at seeing the good in people and all situations, and, with this, together with her strong will and confidence, she was the life of every party.
Lou is survived by her sons, Mike and Greg Cane; daughters-in-law, Sheila and Bobbie; granddaughters and their spouses, Emily and Matt Walling and Arianna and Stephen Bumgarner; and great-grandson, Mason Walling. Her second great-grandchild is expected in August.
Lou will also be missed by her three sisters, Wanda Eastman, Joey Piwenitzky and LaDonna Zetwick, and many nieces and nephews.
Lou joins in death her soulmate, Bob; parents and stepmother, Dorothy; and siblings, Fern, Joy, Loy, Ruth, Don, Carol, June and Harry.
Lou’s family would like to thank the staffs of Regency on Whidbey and Whidbey Health Hospice, who cared for both her and Bob in their last days.
Lou was a partner as a wife, friend in sisterhood, an advocate as a mother, and a role-model and cheerleader as a nan. She will be missed by many, but left each of us better for having known her.
Donations in her memory can be made to Save the Children online at www.savethechildren.org.
A private graveside will take place at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville, Wash., where Lou will be laid to rest next to her beloved Bob.
Arrangements entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor, WA. Please visit Lou’s page in our Book of Memories online at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and leave condolences.
