Beverly Ann Varney

Beverly Ann Varney
March 22, 1930 to October 14, 2021
Madera, CA formerly of Lansing, Michigan

Beverly Ann Varney passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 14, 2021 to live with Jesus. She was 91 years old. Beverly was born March 22, 1930 to Leon Reed Blizzard and Ella M. Baird Blizzard in Lansing, Michigan.

Beverly grew up in Dewitt, Michigan and attended Dewitt Elementary and High School. Upon graduating High School, she attended Edward W. Sparrow Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1951 as a Registered Nurse. She married Vernell W. Varney January 17, 1954. They have two sons, David (Colleen Gillespie) Varney and Jay (Amy) Varney.

She and Vern made their home in the Lansing area where she worked at Sparrow Hospital, including serving as the head nurse of the Pediatric Dept. Beverly also worked as a nurse in private practice offices, with Lansing Pediatrics being her favorite office to work at.

In 1972, she became a Vocational Education Instructor in the Medical Assistant program at the Capital Area Career Center (CACC). When it opened, CACC was the only school in the nation using individualized curriculum and instruction created by the instructors. Beverly retired from CACC in 1990.

Upon retirement, Beverly and Vern traveled across the United States in their motorhome, particularly in the Southern and Western states. They enjoyed the spectacular views and had some real adventures-including one in Tennessee where the following week the local paper article read, “Yankees break down in town.”

Beverly was involved in the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, Sparrow Nurse Alumni, Harvard University Nurses’ Health Study (since 1976) and South Church. She enjoyed studying the Bible, with her favorite verses of encouragement being Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength”, Music, Needlework, Painting, Traveling and spending time with her grandchildren-Travis, Olivia, Rachel and Sean.

Predeceased are her parents Leon and Ella, husband Vern, and brother Keith Blizzard, as well as a number of loving in-laws from the Varney family.

A special thank you to the staff & residents of Cedar Creek Senior Living Community in Madera CA who truly made life uncomplicated, and the kind and caring staff of Bristol Hospice Fresno.

Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to Pointman Leadership Institute of Alton IA , South Church of Lansing MI, Sparrow (Hospital) Foundation, Siren Shelter of Eaton Co., and the Madera County Sheriff’s Foundation