Barbara Ann Varner

Barbara Ann Varner, 84 of Grants Pass passed away on Friday, February 21, 2014 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass, Oregon. No services are planned. For online condolences and tributes please visit stephensfc.com. Arrangements by Stephens Family Chapel, Grants Pass, Oregon. Barbara was born on April 17, 1929 in Bridge, Idaho to Fred and Irma Richards, and was one of four children. Growing up, she lived in Colfax, CA, Williams, OR, Pasadena, CA, the Oregon Coast and Grants Pass, OR. She graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1947. Barbara married Linwood Joseph Varner and they raised 3 children together in southern California. She moved from southern California to Oregon in the 1970's. She worked in engineering, retail, real estate and taxes. She enjoyed fishing, traveling, quilting, painting, reading and gardening. Survivors include her daughters, Lin Wells of Grants Pass, OR and Jane Sauers of Jacksonville, OR, 4 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her son, Ron Varner. Barbara Varner was a remarkable woman who lived a remarkable life. She was known for her quick wit, her artistic sensibility, and her independent spirit. In her 70s, she and her dog traveled through the American West in her RV. At the age of 84, she began writing a murder mystery, rounding out a life filled with creativity. She was a talented self-taught artist, always creating new things and expressing her unique view of the world in her oil paintings, hand-stitched quilts, innovative interior design and original Halloween costumes. She was a true visionary who saw the potential beauty in leftover scraps and odd bits and pieces. Along with her many creative endeavors, she devoted her time to gardening, traveling, fishing, reading, and her family. She was a lover of animals, the sun, the Oregon coast and the open road. She will be greatly missed, particularly by her daughters and granddaughters. All who knew her will remember her strength of will, her feisty independence and her infectious laugh. Her family members have many cherished memories of making sand castles, pulling in a big haul of fish, and sharing stories of their lives. Her murder mystery begins: " It wasn't a dark and stormy night. Oh, no. It was a cold, pea-soup foggy morning like all the others in winter, in this little town in southern Oregon. Christmas decorations were down, depression was up. Everyone was tired of the fog, day after day. No one smiled. " We love you, Mom and Grandma. We will remember and miss you forever, but we are happy to know that now you are in a place where the sun is always shining, Christmas decorations will always be up, and everyone smiles. With love from Lin, Steve, Leslie and Laurelee