Peacham, VT Verna E. Varnum, 84, died on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at home following an extended illness. She was born in St. Johnsbury, VT, July 13, 1927, a daughter of Carl Oscar and Emma Sophia Johnson, and was a second generation Swedish American. She graduated from Peacham Academy, class of 1945. Verna received an Associate of Arts degree from the College of San Mateo (CA) in 1971 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University in 1975. After graduation she worked as an office worker and assisted in the instruction of students with word processing equipment at Skyline College in San Bruno, CA. Verna married James M. Varnum on December 31, 1946. During their working years, their careers took James and Verna to Connecticut, Rhode Island, Washington D.C., Maryland, and California. They resided in South San Francisco, California from 1966. Verna was a member of the Bethany Presbyterian Church in San Bruno and was a longtime member of the Peacham Congregational Church. She was a member of the San Mateo Geneaology Society. Verna will be remembered for her years of work and travel to obtain all the information for her book she authored on the family history, Genealogy of August and Britta Johnson. She traveled to Utah, Sweden, and many parts of this country to gather all of her information. Verna s hobbies included making china dolls, doing veneer work, being a seamstress, and cooking. Verna Johnson Varnum wrote the following We are each one of us like a bridge over which events of the past continue on to the next generation. We are here for a brief moment in an endless span of time, and then we are gone; leaving behind, perhaps, some memories and a record here or there of our once having been. Verna was predeceased by a son, Larry James Varnum on July 31, 1998; a granddaughter, Sarah Varnum; two sisters, her twin sister, Vera L. Roy on August 31, 2009 and Miriam E. Hatch on May 23, 2011; and a brother, Ralph N. Johnson on Nov. 24, 1964 who is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Survivors include her husband of 65 years, James Varnum, of Peacham; a grandson, Mack J. Varnum and Kelly Dennison of Kirby, VT; three great grandchildren, Damien Varnum, Ariana and Niah Varnum, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held this spring at the Peacham Village Cemetery, with Rev. Dr. Robert A. Potter from Peacham Congregational Church officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to the Peacham Congregational Church, c/o Emma and Carl Johnson Organ Funds, Church Street, Peacham, VT 05862.