Helen J. (Gualtieri) Varda

Our beloved Mother Jean Varda passed away peacefully in the early morning of October 11, 2025. Helen “Jean” Varda was born on February 1, 1931 to Antonio and Lena Gualtieri. Jean or Jeanie, as most knew her, was proud of her Italian heritage. She grew up first on Second Avenue in what was known as “Flytown’ and then lived on Aberdeen Avenue in Linden until she married her beloved husband, Charles “Charlie” Varda. Charlie and Jean moved from Linden to their home on McCoy Road in Upper Arlington where they raised their three children David, Toni and Teresa.

Family and her Catholic Faith were most important. Jean welcomed everyone to her home on McCoy Road. Mom loved her siblings Joe, Mary Ann, Rosie and Ann and her children and cousins cherished the times together celebrating family events in her home. Mom especially loved the holidays and we all grew up spending Thanksgiving at Aunt Annie and Uncle Elmo’s home and Christmas at the Varda home. Dad and Mom were faithful parishioners at St. Andrew Catholic Church for most of their married life. Mom was especially devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and it showed in her patient love of all her family and friends. 

Mom loved her grandchildren Chris, Angie, Angelo, Alyson, Lena, Zachary and Nathan and they brought joy to her life as she grew older. We all enjoyed many Sundays eating mom’s wonderful Spaghetti and Meatball dinners. There was always enough to take home for the week!

Mom spent her final days suffering from the disease of dementia but even when she no longer recognized those she loved, she brought joy and love to the wonderful caregivers that made her final years as good as possible. We are especially grateful to the caregivers at Newark Rehabilitation where mom resided her final 20 months and Ohio Hospice the final 13 months.

Helen “Jean” was preceded in death by her beloved husband Charles (Charlie), her parents Antonio and Lena Gualtieri, her brother Joe, her sisters and spouses Mary Ann (Louie), Rose (Gabriel) and Ann (Elmo), her aunts and uncles, DiPietro family cousins and Varda in-laws. She is survived by her son David (Becky), daughters Toni (Jim) and Teresa (Nick), her previously mentioned grandchildren and six beautiful great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 17, 2025 at 10:30 AM at the Chapel of St. Joseph Cemetery where interment will occur after the Mass for Charles and Jean Varda. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

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