Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Obituary
Guest Book
James "Jim" Varley, a lifelong resident of Dorseyville, husband of Bonita (Bonnie) List Varley, passed away on November 9, 2023 surrounded by loved ones after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer in April of this year. Through his final days, he insisted that he was one of the luckiest people alive, having lived a long life with his partner of 60+ years, family, and good friends, traveling the country and exploring the world.
Born in 1947, Jim was a 1965 graduate of Fox Chapel High School and a 1969 graduate of Edinboro University where he was a proud member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity. He was a lifelong active member and officer of the Dorseyville Volunteer Fire Department. Jim spent 35 years teaching in Hampton School District before retiring and spending time as a woodworker, creator, and volunteer at the Depreciation Lands Museum in Allison Park. But his most cherished and favorite post-retirement role was most definitely, Pap.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Margaret and Marcellus (Tubby) Varley and sister Margaret (Peggy) Varley. He is survived by his wife and three daughters Shannon Varley (BJ Miller), Meagan Flannigan (Paul) and Marcella (Marci) Weaver (Keith), as well as his brother, Robert "Bob" (Donna), and a beloved extended family. His greatest pride, besides his three girls, was his seven grandchildren: Maeve, Luke, Mary, Finn, Ewan, Juniper and Lochlan.
As a last final act, he chose to donate his body to scientific study through the Humanity Gift Registry. Therefore, in lieu of a traditional viewing and funeral, there will be a Celebration of Life at Springwood (1000 Indiana Road, Verona) on Saturday, November 18 at 1 - 4pm. Formal program to begin at 1:30. **Hawaiian shirts are encouraged!**
If you’d like to make a donation in his memory, St. Jude’s Hospital was a charity that was dear to his heart. Arrangements made by Perman Funeral Home and Cremations Services, Inc.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreYou may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read moreThese free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read moreSome basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more