Brenda (Horne) Varney-Hill

Brenda Varney-Hill, 88, of Tiffin, died at 1:20 a.m., Friday, August 19, 2022, at Good Shepherd Home, Fostoria.

She was born August 3, 1934, to Walter Henry Horne and Ethel Martin Horne in Minster, Kent, England.  Brenda attended King Ethelbert School in Minster, where she studied child care.  She worked as a nanny before meeting her husband James Varney at a dance at Royal Air Base Manston, Kent, England, where he was assigned with the United States Air Force.  Brenda and Jim were married on March 6, 1953, in Clifton Forge, Virginia.

Over the next 19 years, they moved often in support of Jim’s Air Force career, and Brenda became a proud naturalized citizen of the U.S. while remaining equally loyal to her British roots.  They had nine children; Raymond, Karen (Tank), Stephen, Sandra (Ring), Carol, Robert, Jane (LeBlanc), Paula, and Jason, eight of which gather today to celebrate her life with their partners and loved ones. She had 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, who also join in the celebration of her life.  Brenda is also survived by her youngest brother Michael and many nieces and nephews who reside in England.

Brenda was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, James and Forrest; two sisters, Molly and Dora; brother, Roy; and a son Stephen.

Brenda said she loved being a homemaker and mother; it was one of her greatest joys in life.  Life as an Air Force wife proved little challenge as she established multiple loving homes in Louisiana, England, Arkansas, Michigan, California, and Ohio.

After Jim died, Brenda later married Forrest Hill in June 2001 in Tiffin, Ohio.  They lived a good life as Florida-based senior citizens, enjoying the senior community lifestyle with good friends.  After Forrest died in 2009, Brenda returned to Ohio to live out her remaining years near her extended family.

In her leisure time, Brenda enjoyed reading suspense novels, knitting baby clothes, and gardening.  She did a lot of traveling over the years, including twice sailing on the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth II to and from England.  Some of her other travels included Germany, Belgium, and France.

Brenda was Catholic and attended St. Mary's Church, Tiffin.  She lived her final years at Good Shepherd Home in Fostoria, Ohio.   The family would like to thank the staff at Good Shepherd for their outstanding personal care.

The family will gather to receive and visit with friends from noon- 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 22, 2022, at the Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe St. Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Seneca County or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

To send condolences to the family, or to order out-of-town flowers, go to www.traunerofuneralhome.com.