Thelma Nutter Varhach

Thelma was born in Laconia New Hampshire on July 31, 1927, to Clyde Edgar and Doris Irene (nee Springer) Nutter. She attended the Gilmanton Grammar School, in Gilmanton New Hampshire and graduated from Laconia High School, in Laconia New Hampshire in 1944.

She was recruited by the Department of the Army as a “Government Girl”, to support the wartime effort and moved to Washington DC. This was the beginning of a 30-year federal government career that also included the Veteran’s Administration and the Census Bureau. She retired from the Census Bureau as a Senior Computer Programmer.

She was a trailblazer for women as one of the first women to become a computer programmer. She accomplished this achievement after temporarily leaving federal service to be a full-time wife and mother of three. She is survived by her three children Suzanne Clements Palmer (spouse Mac) of Leland North Carolina, Diane Varhach Dei (spouse Brooks) of Parkton Maryland, and Tony Varhach of Naples Florida.

She is also survived by her sister Janice Nutter Paletta (widow of Joseph), two nephews, Bill Nutter (spouse Cindy) and Bob Nutter (spouse Fay).

She was preceded in death by her parents and beloved stepfather Harry Lancaster Bowdoin, her brother Kenneth and sister-in-law Lynn Nutter of Laconia, New Hampshire and Naples.

She was a long time parishioner and volunteer at St. Francis of Xavier Catholic Church in Leonardtown Maryland. She wintered in Naples until 2013 when she moved there permanently. She has been a member of St John the Evangelist Catholic Church Naples Florida from her earliest days in Naples.

She enjoyed boating and entertaining family and friends. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is a Mayflower descendant.

The family of Thelma wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Gurdeep Chharbra, Hollywood, Maryland, Dr. Alberto Vera, Bonita Springs, Florida, Dr. Adina Benitez, Naples Florida, and nurse Linda Stein at Preferred Health Care.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Avow Foundation Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples Florida 34105 or www.avowcares.org

A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 11AM on October 27, 2023.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hodgesfhatnaplesmg.com for the Varhach family.