Obituary for Brenda Mary Frances Varrell
Brenda Mary Frances (née Dugard) Varrell, 80, of Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley, joined her beloved husband David in eternal peace on August 2, 2016. Brenda bravely fought Alzheimer’s Disease and Epilepsy for many years.
Brenda was born in London, England, July 21, 1936, the daughter of the late Frederick William and Alice Mary (Strand) Dugard and was raised in London. As a child, she lived through the London Blitz during World War II. She studied at Avery Hill College, obtaining her teaching certificate. She immigrated to the United States in 1962 after her marriage to David Charles Varrell. In 1966, she and Dave moved to Billerica where they lived for 47 years, raising their two children.
In addition to raising her family, Brenda had a varied career, including positions of elementary school teacher, reading aide, substitute teacher, electronics technician, proofreader for the Merrimack Valley Advertiser, craft artist and wedding calligrapher.
Brenda was an accomplished artist in a variety of media. Her specialty was calligraphy and, for several years ran her own business, preparing handmade wedding invitations and pen and ink drawings of historic buildings in the Billerica area. She also spent several years, dutifully driving to Holliston weekly to provide childcare for her two dearly loved grandsons, Nicholas and Jacob.
Brenda was a long-time Patriots fan and enjoyed many a Sunday afternoon cheering on her team. Despite living the majority of her years in the United States, Brenda was extremely proud of her British heritage and steadfastly displayed the Union Jack in her home. Her hobbies included maintaining her beautiful flower gardens, genealogy, travel, history, cooking traditional English fare, reading, listening to Johnny Cash and spending time with family. While living at LCC of Nashoba Valley, she was known for her friendly disposition, generosity, and a penchant for sweets.
Brenda is survived by her daughter, Alison Varrell of Chelmsford; her son, Matthew Varrell and his wife, Amy of Harvard; her brothers Frederick DuGard, Melvyn DuGard, Nicholas DuGard, Robert DuGard and Roy Green, all of England; her sister, Alison Godden of England; and her two cherished grandsons, Nicholas and Jacob (Rusty) Varrell of Harvard. She was predeceased by her sisters, Pauline Green and Noelle DuGard, and brother, Roger DuGard. She will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews and friends across the United States and the United Kingdom.
VARRELL – Of Littleton, formerly of Billerica, Aug. 2, Brenda M.F. (Dugard) Varrell. A Memorial Service will be held Monday at the First Congregational Church, 18 Andover Rd., Billerica at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund (http://curealz.org).
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Brenda was born in London, England, July 21, 1936, the daughter of the late Frederick William and Alice Mary (Strand) Dugard and was raised in London. As a child, she lived through the London Blitz during World War II. She studied at Avery Hill College, obtaining her teaching certificate. She immigrated to the United States in 1962 after her marriage to David Charles Varrell. In 1966, she and Dave moved to Billerica where they lived for 47 years, raising their two children.
In addition to raising her family, Brenda had a varied career, including positions of elementary school teacher, reading aide, substitute teacher, electronics technician, proofreader for the Merrimack Valley Advertiser, craft artist and wedding calligrapher.
Brenda was an accomplished artist in a variety of media. Her specialty was calligraphy and, for several years ran her own business, preparing handmade wedding invitations and pen and ink drawings of historic buildings in the Billerica area. She also spent several years, dutifully driving to Holliston weekly to provide childcare for her two dearly loved grandsons, Nicholas and Jacob.
Brenda was a long-time Patriots fan and enjoyed many a Sunday afternoon cheering on her team. Despite living the majority of her years in the United States, Brenda was extremely proud of her British heritage and steadfastly displayed the Union Jack in her home. Her hobbies included maintaining her beautiful flower gardens, genealogy, travel, history, cooking traditional English fare, reading, listening to Johnny Cash and spending time with family. While living at LCC of Nashoba Valley, she was known for her friendly disposition, generosity, and a penchant for sweets.
Brenda is survived by her daughter, Alison Varrell of Chelmsford; her son, Matthew Varrell and his wife, Amy of Harvard; her brothers Frederick DuGard, Melvyn DuGard, Nicholas DuGard, Robert DuGard and Roy Green, all of England; her sister, Alison Godden of England; and her two cherished grandsons, Nicholas and Jacob (Rusty) Varrell of Harvard. She was predeceased by her sisters, Pauline Green and Noelle DuGard, and brother, Roger DuGard. She will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews and friends across the United States and the United Kingdom.
VARRELL – Of Littleton, formerly of Billerica, Aug. 2, Brenda M.F. (Dugard) Varrell. A Memorial Service will be held Monday at the First Congregational Church, 18 Andover Rd., Billerica at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund (http://curealz.org).
Previous Events
Service
Monday
8
Aug
10:00 AM
First Congregational Church
18 Andover Rd.
Billerica, MA 01821
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