Martha E. Varzaly

Martha E Varzaly, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on April 26, 2022, in Olathe, Ks at the age of 75. Martha was born in Danville, Virginia to Pomp and Carrie Berger on June 24th, 1946. Martha grew up in the small town of Gretna Virginia. After graduating from high school, she attended William and Mary College in Williamsburg and later met her husband, Steve Varzaly; they married in 1968.

While raising their family, Martha attended George Mason University and graduated with a business degree in 1977. Martha was one of the first women to graduate with a business degree from that university.

In 1982, Martha and her family moved to Kansas where she worked for United Telecom. She worked as a marketing director and project manager. Later, Martha and her business partner designed software programs for companies like Board of Public Utilities, IPL and SUG. During this time, she started exploring creative writing. By 2001, she had graduated from UMKC with a Masters of Arts degree with an Emphasis on Professional Writing. She became an adjunct professor in the English department at UMKC and later at Johnson County Community College. Martha was passionate about teaching and enjoyed connecting with her students, especially those students that English was not their first language. Martha was fascinated with history and began researching woman in Kansas. Martha and her husband Steve took several trips around Kansas for research purposes.
Martha enjoyed authoring several short stories and books and was overjoyed when some were published. As Martha's dementia progressed, it became more difficult for her to write so she turned her creativity to painting Her fascination with history was reflected in her paintings that she proudly displayed around her home.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Pomp and Carrie Berger her husband Steve.
She is survived by her daughter, Carrie Grosdidier (Bill); son, Brent Varzaly (Catalina); stepdaughter, Laura Cambron (Chris); grandchildren: Elise Grosdidier (Alberto Fernandez Beato), Cody Cambron (Katherine), Andy Grosdidier, Amanda Cambron, Nick Grosdidier, Alex Grosdidier, Maggie Grosdidier and Brock Varzaly. She is also survived by her brother, Glenn Berger (Debbie) and her sister Jean Estes (Rob) and her dog Truman.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Harvesters. harvesters.org/donate


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