Linda Lee Varner

Linda (Ritchie Sarrazin) Varner Linda passed away peacefully December 22, 2014 after a long and courageous battle against cancer. Born in Meriden, Connecticut, on April 26, 1949 to Emily and Richard Ritchie. After graduating high school, Linda worked at Pratt & Whitney working with the aircraft engine design engineers and draftsmen. While at Pratt & Whitney, Linda developed several deep life-long friendships that she maintained until her death. The spirit of adventure inspired Linda and her then-husband Bobby Sarrazin to move from Connecticut to the mountains of Colorado in 1979. In Colorado, Linda worked at Head Sports in the customer service department, and then at Econalytic Systems as Office Manager until retirement in 2014. Linda loved outdoor activities and was active with the Colorado Mountain Club, Boulder chapter, acting as Secretary for several years. She enjoyed hiking, camping, snowshoeing, hut trips. She loved the theater and was a long-time season ticket holder at the Denver Center. Linda loved gardening, reading and travel, enjoying trips in the US, to Europe, Alaska, Mexico and the Caribbean. She loved attending the Telluride Bluegrass Festival every summer, along with enjoying many other musical events and concerts. Her passion and celebration of life was in her volunteer work. Boulder County Sheriff's Office benefitted from her dedication as a Victim's Advocate, Restorative Justice facilitator, mediator, and mentor to other volunteers for many years. Volunteering for Boulder County Partners, Linda mentored a teenager from 1993 through adulthood. During much of the same time, Linda volunteered for Community Food Share, Boulder County Nurturing Program, Boulder and Jefferson County Crisis Teams, and the Arvada Search Team. Having worked supporting victims for many years, Linda volunteered on a team with the Colorado Department of Corrections to meet with a recent prison inmate every week for one year to help that person prepare for a successful reentry into society. As evidence of Linda's contribution as a volunteer, she was awarded the prestigious 9 Who Cares Award in 1996. Linda is survived by her beloved husband, Christopher Varner, Arvada; stepchildren Lauren Varner (Brandt), Denver, and Jesse Varner, Boulder; sister Diane Ritchie, Boyton Beach, Florida; brother Richard Ritchie, Marlborough, Connecticut; niece Jennifer D'Aiuto (Chris), Salem, Connecticut; nephew Rich Ritchie (Jennifer), Rocky Hill, Connecticut; nephew Chris Ritchie, Marlborough, Connecticut; and many wonderful supportive family and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 starting at 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Morningside Manor, 13251 West 64th Avenue, Arvada, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to TruCare Hospice, 2594 Trail Ridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026. 303-604-5236, www.TruCare.org, or to honor Linda's memory and legacy, do something nice for someone, offer help and a smile.