Nichole Altez Handy

Loving mother, treasured niece, wisest of cousins, and truest of friends, Nichole Altez Handy, was born into eternity on October 23, 2021 at the age of 43 after a life-long and courageous battle with cancer. She left this world surrounded by the love of those who will continue to honor her legacy of faith by living life to the fullest.

Nichole was born to Stephanie G Mckissic–Wade and Darryl Handy on February 8, 1978. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and last worked as a Counseling Director for CB Accounts before her health began to deteriorate due to Li Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS). LFS caused her to eventually have ten different cancers of which she victoriously overcame. She was a true warrior in the fight against cancers (yes, cancers) in her physical body and through her contributions to several cancer societies, until finally succumbing to lung cancer.

Nichole was featured in the February 2017 issue of More Than Pink, News from the Komen Memorial. This is when she began telling her story of surviving breast cancer. The next year she was invited to share her story on the eve of Race for the Cure 2018 with the Susan G Komen Foundation.

It was simple pleasures that brought Nichole joy. She loved watching her daughter play basketball, reading anything, discussing politics, scrapbooking, and texting friends. But her greatest joy was seeing her daughter smile. Nichole looked for the silver lining in every storm and always faced them with optimism and grace, a trait she learned from her mother.

Nichole accepted Christ at an early age and later in life at Grace Baptist Church in Peoria, IL. Through many trials and tribulations, her faith and strength in the Lord remained strong. You could always look to her for strength.

Nichole, leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter and best friend, Camryn Taylor, Charlottesville, VA; her affectionate and hilarious father, Darryl Handy, Atlanta, GA; sister Andrea Green, Chicago, IL; dedicated Aunt, Florence (Kelvin, Sr.) Haley, Beloit, WI; surrogate mom and loyal Aunt Alisha (Albert, Sr.) Huff, Peoria, IL; special and more like a sister Aunt, Alexis Wellmaker, Peoria, IL; special cousin and like a sister China Reed, Simpsonville, SC; an amazing and courageous Godmother, Sheila Jackson, Chicago, IL; and a host of cousins and loyal friends.

She was predeceased by her mother, Stephanie G Wade, Grandmother, Lois Handy, Grandfather, Anthony Handy Jr., and Grandmother Lustine Wellmaker and two Aunts Toni Mckissic – Yates and Angela Wellmaker.

Memorials may be made to the Susan G Komen Foundation.

The family would like to acknowledge and give special thanks to the John Owens Hospice Center and the In Home Hospice Care team for thinking outside of the box to provide attentive care for Nichole in the face of the unique and rare complications she faced because of Li Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS).]