READFIELD – Linda Lou (Penrod) Varney, 86, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. Linda was born on August 16, 1936, in Midvale, Ohio to parents Charles W. Penrod and Margaret (Miles) Penrod. Linda graduated from Midvale High School in 1954.

Through the advice of a mutual friend, Linda and Richard E. Varney began corresponding while he served in the Air Force. He flew to Ohio to meet her, and the couple was married on Sept. 9, 1955. They moved to Kansas where Linda worked in a café at the airport and Richard worked as an aircraft mechanic. Shortly after that, they moved to Richard’s home state. Richard and Linda began raising a family in Eagle Lake where he worked as a pilot for the Maine Warden Service. In 1969, the family moved to Readfield to be closer to family.

After losing her husband in the line of duty in 1972, Linda continued raising their four children at the age of 36. Linda had met wonderful neighbors in Readfield who have become lifelong friends. Linda enjoyed her time spent knitting, painting, and planting flowers; however, she most loved her time spent with family and friends. Not only was Linda a devoted wife and mother, she was also very active in the lives of each of her grandchildren and instrumental in their upbringing. Linda will always be remembered for the love she gave and the sacrifices she made while with us all.

Linda is survived by her son Dean Varney and his wife Esther of South Gardiner, her daughter Margaret Varney of Winthrop, her son Donald Varney and his wife Martha of West Gardiner, and her daughter Suzanne Varney of Fairfield. Linda is survived by seven grandchildren Mandy, Megan, Jonathan, Julia, Sara, Ryan, and Victoria. Linda is also survived by two great grandchildren Alanni and Jaxon.

Linda was predeceased by her husband Richard E. Varney; parents Charles and Margaret Penrod; brothers Clyde and Fritz Penrod, sister Minnie Rowan; her daughter-in-law Terri Varney; as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Throughout the years, the Maine Warden Service has stayed in contact with Linda and will be honored guests at her funeral. Linda accepted the Lord at a Luis Palau Crusade and was later baptized and became a member of Winter Street Baptist Church in Gardiner, Maine. Pastor Alfred Roberts will preside over her service.

Visiting hours will be on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Staples Funeral Home in Gardiner. A service will be held for family and friends at Winter Street Baptist Church in Gardiner on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. followed by refreshments. The burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Sumner, Maine in the spring of 2023.

Arrangements are in the care of the Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave, Gardiner where condolences and memories may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website by visiting http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made to:

the Maine Warden

Service Association

353 Water St.

SHS #41

Augusta, ME 04330



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