Geneva Mae (Perez) Varney

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully at home with her family on Sunday, January 30th, 2022.

Geneva was born on May 16, 1933 to Jose Alvarez Perez and Ivory Ethel Cole Perez in Sophia, West Virginia. She grew up in Sophia and graduated from Sophia High School in 1950.

She was attending Marshall University when she met "the love of her life", Charles Phillip Varney. They were married on August 9, 1952 for 57 years until Charles' death in 2010.

Her professional life was spent in education where she received degrees from both Marshall University and Ohio University. Upon graduating Summa Cum Laude with her degree in early childhood education and elementary education, she was elected to membership in Phi Kappa Phi, an honorary society of educators.

In her first professional position, she developed the program of instruction for preschool children at Mrs. Libby's School in Wheelersburg, Ohio. After several years of successful teaching there, she became certified in special education and moved into the field of teaching special needs students at Happy Hearts School for many years. Known for her exceptional organizational skills, here again she excelled in developing an instructional program for young men and women in her "Top Brass Class" that gave them opportunities to be functionally able to live the most productive lives possible and to be proud of their achievements. They knew she had strict rules of conduct and behavior, and there were seldom any discipline problems in her class. She was proud of her students, especially when they demonstrated what they had gained from her teaching, whether it was doing their own shopping or reading important signs they would see. Her students knew of her love for them and they loved her just as much.

In October 2006, Geneva was chosen as "Woman of the Year" by Business and Professional Women of Ohio for her outstanding contributions to the community, an honor that she well deserved.

She also worked at her husband's side during his tenures as director of music for several church congregations, leading the children's choirs.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles P. Varney, parents Jose A. Perez and Ivory E. Perez, her son Joseph Roy Varney, two sisters and brothers-in-law, Joyce (Jesse "JB") Riggs, and Jewel (Frank) Cirer.

She is survived by her children, Charlotte Ann (Mark) Campbell in West Jordan, Utah whom she lived with the last several years, and Charles P. (Kay) Varney, Jr. in Honolulu, Hawaii.  And her grandchildren,  Amanda (Nate) Campbell Meyer, Joseph (Jayne) Campbell, Jared (Nicholas) Campbell, Tyler (Harley) Campbell, Tanner (Morgan) Campbell, Aaron Campbell, Alexandria Campbell, Bradley Varney, Sasha Varney, and Isabella Varney. And four great-grandchildren, Evie Campbell Meyer, Lennox Campbell, Masi Campbell, and Boston Campbell.

She had a deep love and devotion for animals, especially dogs and cats, and during her life owned many.

She is a member of Second Presbyterian Church in Portsmouth, Ohio, where she served duties for many years in the Women's Society and as assistant treasurer.

She belonged to several clubs, Portsmouth chapter of Business and Professional Women, Kiwanis, Wheelersburg Garden Club, and had a life membership in the Ohio Retired Teacher Association.

She will be remembered for her beautiful and welcoming smile, kind and giving heart, and her compassion for everyone she met.

She hopes her motto - "If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing well" will be applied in others' lives.

Her beautiful example of love and service will be missed by all who knew her.

Utah Viewing and Funeral Services: 
February 4th, 2022
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 
6270 W. 7000 S
West Jordan, Utah 84081
Viewing 10:00 - 11:00 am
Funeral Service 11:00 - 12:00 pm

Ohio Viewing, Funeral Services and Burial:
To Be Announced
In lieu of flowers please donate to Geneva's favorite charity, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
www.stjude.org