MaryElisabeth Varney

MaryElisabeth "Beth" (Gardner) Varney, age 101, of Lombard, IL, passed away November 22, 2025 at her daughter's home in Wheaton, IL, after a valiant battle with cancer.
She was born in Chicago, IL on October 29, 1924, and raised in Chicago and Elmhurst, IL. She was a summer resident of Ellison Bay, WI for 73 years.
As a young woman, she worked in her mother's Chicago restaurant, The Wooden Shoe, as well as Marshall Field's and the Oak Park Library, before embarking on her most rewarding and enjoyable career as an elementary school teacher. She began her career at Churchville School and Hawthorne Elementary in Elmhurst, IL. The majority of her career, spanning more than 40 years, was spent at Lombard Elementary District 44 Manor Hill School, formerly Highland Hills School. She was known for her love of all of her students and the creative way she taught through acting in the extraordinary musical productions she directed. Many students remember the plays they performed in and the kindness she had for her students.
Beth was always on the go, and at 95 years old she was celebrated as the Volunteer of the Decade by Goodwill, where she spent many years volunteering in the Workforce Connections program in Lombard, IL.
Beth had a truly remarkable love story for 63 years with her husband Robert "Bob" Varney. They met while attending Elmhurst College and had a wonderful life together, raising one son, Jed (Mary) Varney, and two daughters, Lisa (David) Beckwith and Jody Spence (Mark LeFeber). She lived a full life marked by her constant smiles, devotion, and love for her family.
She was blessed with 4 grandchildren that she adored, Justin Spence, Stephanie (Nick) Schuster, Jason (Kayla) Spence, and Robert (Jessica) Beckwith. She had 3
great-grandchildren, Kinzley and Kazen Schuster and Edward Varney as well as many Gardner and Varney nieces and nephews.
Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Wilhelmina Margaretha
"Greta" (Oudsteyn) Gardner and brothers Johann and Wilmar Gardner. She will be greatly missed by her family.
A heartfelt thank you to all the many dedicated, generous Meals on Wheels volunteers of DuPage Senior Citizens Council, Meals on Wheels and The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Door County Senior Meals who delivered meals mixed with kindness and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to these remarkable organizations. A private interment will be held at a later date.