Anne Dysart Varley

1925 - 2023

Anne Dysart Varley
February 24, 1925 - April 24, 2023
Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Anne Varley died peacefully at home on Monday, April 24, at the age of 98. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; a church, school, and community volunteer; and a friend and mentor. Anne had a great curiosity about nature and life and was a woman of profound faith. Along with her contributions via community service, she was devoted to her family and church. She was a model of unconditional love and kindness, offering constant support to her family and others.
Anne Dysart was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and moved with her family to Greenville, SC at the age of 4. She was the third of six children of John and Agnes "Gypsy" Dysart. Anne is survived by her four children, Robert Varley, Jr. (Gloria), Margaret Anne "Peggy" Varley Markham (Bill), Elizabeth Gail Varley, and John Frederick Varley, two grandchildren, Anna White (Mike) and Joel Varley (Leslie), and three great-grandchildren, Lila and Elena "Lainey" White, and Luca Varley. She is also survived by her brother George B. Dysart of Hendersonville, NC, and sister Margaret de la Torre of Oak Park, IL, and several nieces and nephews. Anne was predeceased by sisters Beatrice and Mary, her brother, John, grandson, Justin Perk (Gail's son), and an especially beloved aunt, Beatrice "Beebe" Barton Bayley of Springfield, Ohio.
Anne attended St. Mary's Junior College in Raleigh, NC, and completed her A.B. degree in History and Spanish at Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC in 1946. She taught history and civics at Berryhill High School in Mecklenburg County for two years before moving to Chapel Hill to start a master's program in History and Political Science at UNC. However, marriage and family became her priority with her marriage to Robert "Bob" Varley, owner of Varley's Men's Shop in Chapel Hill, from 1950 to 1973.
As a full-time mother of four and homemaker for 23 years, Anne was a frequent school volunteer as a grade mother, and as a driver for field trips. She also served on various school committees and was active in the PTA. She loved sports and encouraged her children's participation. Three of her children were on the Chapel Hill swim team and Anne would drive them to early morning practices and be ever-present at swim meets, baseball games, tennis matches, dance and music recitals, and scouting events, to name just a few. For five years, she served as a Cadette Girl Scout leader and actively participated in all that entailed. The Varley home in Greenwood was often the gathering place for neighborhood friends.
Anne re-entered the workforce in 1973 and worked at Chapel Hill High School as Director of the Social Studies & Science Resource Center, where she loved helping students. With a love of sports, she also coached the CHHS women's softball team. She then took a position at UNC Chapel Hill where she worked in the Office of Records and Registration. In February 1989, she accepted a position as Central Reservationist at the Carolina Student Union where she would assist student organizations and university departments with scheduling their activities. She so enjoyed working with the students and the variety of people with whom she interacted. She retired from the university in August 1998, at the age of 73.
Anne loved music. She played the clarinet, sang in school and church choirs, and enjoyed attending concerts. Stamp collecting was her lifelong hobby. She started her collection as a child and until recently was active in the Triangle Stamp Club. Anne was a Master Gardener. For many years she volunteered at the NC Botanical Garden. She had a love for native plants and nurtured them within a natural setting throughout the yard at her home. She enjoyed both domestic and foreign travel and exploring the history of her surroundings.
Anne was a faithful member of the Church of the Holy Family since its inception over 70 years ago. Her church family was of paramount importance in her life and gave her great joy. Along with her 40-year membership in the choir, she served in a variety of ways over the years - as a member of the Vestry and the Altar Guild, as a church historian, Sunday school teacher, and visitor to parishioners unable to attend services. For over 30 years, Anne volunteered with the Yokefellow Prison Ministry through her church's outreach program. She was passionate about the program, sharing friendship, prayer, conversation, and refreshments (often homemade), with the inmates at the Orange County Correctional Center in Hillsborough.
It has been said that Anne was the model of a cultured and educated Southern Lady who offered service to others with grace, humility, and kindness. She believed in the goodness of others and lived and practiced her religious values. Anne's devotion to her family remained constant through good times and hardship, and in sickness and health throughout her life.
The family is very grateful to Degra Williams of Visiting Angels for her empathetic caregiving during the final days of Anne's life.
There will be a memorial service for Anne Varley on Saturday, May 27, at 11:00 am, at the Church of the Holy Family in Chapel Hill, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations to one of the following organizations would be appreciated:
NC Botanical Garden (Campus Box 3375 - Allen Education Center, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3375), The Church of the Holy Family (200 Hayes Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517), or Running Strong for American Indian Youth (8301 Richmond Highway, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22309).
Online condolences may be made at CremationSocietyNC.com