Donna Varnell

Donna Marilyn Varnell

September 28, 1946 ~ August 26, 2017

Washington Terrace – Our beloved mother, Donna Marilyn Varnell, age 70, passed away on Saturday, August 26, 2017, after a valiant 16-year battle with cancer and MS.

She was born on September 28, 1946, in New London Connecticut, the daughter of William Earl Hoffstrom and Margaret Lins Taylor.

She married David Franklin Varnell on May 7, 1966, in Gulfport, Mississippi. They were married for over 26 years.

Donna loved to travel with her best friend Marianne Nelson who was like a sister. She was a world traveler touring China, Australia, and Norway just to name a few. She loved the outdoors and for the past 12 years hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Her grandchildren were a special part of her life. She shared her love of travel with them.

She worked at Hill Air Force base in IT management and retired from civil service after more than 20 years.

Surviving are her sons, David F. (Julie) Varnell Jr of West Haven and Dwayne C. (Terri) Varnell of American Fork; four grandchildren, Tiffany, Kayla, Kennadi, and Benjamin Varnell; her siblings, Mrs. Sara (Terry) Ward, Mr. Joseph (Mary) Huffman, Mrs. Janice (Gene) Shaw, and Mr.  Jacko (Kelly) Taylor all of Mississippi. She was preceded in death by her husband, both parents, and her sister Carol Anne Hisey.

The family would like to thank Dr. Vincent Hansen and his staff for the outstanding care given to Donna. We would also like to thank Marianne Nelson for her loving support and care.

Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 495 N. Harrison Blvd., Ogden, Utah, with the Rosary at 10:30 a.m.  Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park of Layton, 1867 Fairfield Rd.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the American Cancer Society or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.