Kate Mary Menken-Handford

Kate Mary Menken-Handford, 82, of Winston-Salem, died, Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House.

Born on September 3, 1943, in Bergen County, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Donald Lewis Bennett and the late Katherine Wallace Bennett. After completion of high school, Kate furthered her education and became a Critical Care Registered Nurse. Later in her career, she transitioned to a Senior Clinical Research Manager for a large pharmaceutical company. After the tragic events on September 11, 2001, Kate volunteered with the Red Cross at the Chelsea Piers Emergency Triage and Staging Area in New York City.

Kate had a deep passion for fiber design and vibrant colors. She enjoyed weaving textiles, teaching, dyeing homespun yarn. Kate also enjoyed working with border collies; doing agility and sheep herding. She loved her family very much and believed in strong family values. She enjoyed calling Warwick home and all that Warwick had to offer.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Donald Bennett and Wallace Bennett (YanYan); and extended family members, Nadja Montes, Alfred Fiertner, and Donald DiNovi.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, James William Handford; children, Robert Mercogliano (Christy), GailMarie Mercogliano, Stephen Handford (Tara), Ineka Menken-Pirovitz (Scott) and Augustinus Menken (Lily); grandchildren, Kristen Mercogliano, Samantha Mercogliano, Dylan Mercogliano, Tyler Mercogliano, Owen Wang, Sophie Lynn Handford, Lucy Mercogliano, Evie Gwenn-Marie Pirovitz, and Elsa Mercogliano; great-grandchild, Beau Mercogliano; extended family members, Dr. Edward Diehl (Diane), Dennis Diehl (Laura), Tommy Fiertner (Diane), Frederick Bennett (Paulette), Chris Fiertner (Smriti), and Barbara DiNovi.

In lieu of a formal service, please remember Kate in your own way.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Glen Highland Border Collie Rescue, Gloucester, Virginia.

Davidson Funeral Home, Hickory Tree Chapel is honored to serve the Handford family.