Norma Varney

Norma was born and raised in Everett Washington and was active in drama, glee club and radio guild, while attending Everett High School where she graduated in 1940. She worked at the Everett Pulp and Paper Company as an executive secretary and married Bernard K Varney whom she helped put through the University of Washington where she also attended.

Moving to Millbrae California in 1955, Norma became active in the PTA at Millbrae Meadows School where her two young sons attended.

In 1963, the Varney family moved to the Marin Country Club Estates in Novato where Norma was a member of the ladies 9 Holer Golf group as well as the Garden Club.

When her husband Ben retired in 1984, both as VP of Finance for CSAA’S Inter-insurance bureau and as treasurer for CSAA, the couple traveled extensively, visiting Europe, Australia, Croatia, Mexico and Hawaii among other vacation destinations.

Norma loved spending time with her family and was an avid vocalist, singing in church and in other choruses, the last of which was the Chorus at Villa Marin in San Rafael where she lived for the last twenty years of her life. People often commented on her angelic voice that allowed her to hit high notes out of range for many of her contemporaries. Before becoming a patient in the skilled nursing department, Norma was a regular volunteer, helping the sick and elderly at various times throughout her stay at Villa Marin. She was a very giving person with a kind heart, often found in the service of others.

Norma and Ben Varney had 51 wonderful years marriage before Ben passed away in 1997.

Norma will be greatly missed by her two surviving sons, Mark Varney of Alturas, CA and Mike Varney of Novato; and her two grandchildren, Matthew and Claire Varney of Hubbard and Silverton, Oregon respectively and by many others who knew and loved her.