Mary Louise Varner

Mary was the fifth of seven children born to Gertrude and George Ford. The family lived at 127 Galapago Street in Denver, Colorado in a small, by today’s standards, house. Mary attended St. Joseph’s High School, graduating in 1940. Mom’s father called her angel Mary and she was certainly a remarkable person. She didn’t seek the spotlight, rather she worked hard to give each of her children the individual attention they deserved and that was quite an undertaking with 5 children. She always took the time to listen to us and sympathize with us if we were going through hard times. And, in the Ford tradition, she would defend her kids to the end. I’m sure it was always justified. Mom turned 90 last December. She dealt with the many complications of Crohn’s and this year was particularly hard. She was in several hospitals, skilled nursing, assisted living and spent her last days at home. Though it was a rough year, it gave us some special time with mom. One of Char’s earliest memories was when mom ordered a Chiquita banana doll for her. Seemed like it took forever to arrive. She would even cut our pancakes so they remained in a perfect circle. It was probably easier than dealing with us if the pancakes weren’t just perfect. We can remember getting home from school and mom would be baking cookies or what-ever. We loved licking the beaters and also loved when she put the left over chocolate frosting in the middle of graham crackers. One afternoon she was washing the walls with TSP. Who does that anymore? Some afternoons she would be reading a book, one of her favorite past times. She enjoyed playing bridge and usually came in first or second. She also enjoyed walking, golf, good food and wine. Oh yeah, and politics. Two very special occasions were when mom and dad visited Char and Jim in Europe. They stayed in a hotel in Germany and then Char picked them up the next day. In the morning mom got up, showered and dressed but then realized it was 4 a.m. She laughed about that. Dad tugged on a stone at a castle and mom said, “Don’t do that Ernie, the whole thing will fall down”. We couldn’t stop laughing….especially dad. Mom and dad worked hard to provide for us. As we recall, dinner was on the table at 5 p.m. even though dad wasn’t always there because he worked shift work. She was a strong, determined woman and we so admire her for living on her own until recently. She was pretty and had the most gorgeous legs. Good bye mom. You are now one of God’s angels.