Elsie L Varnerin
JUNE 28, 1961 - AUGUST 15, 2026
Elsie Louise Varnerin was born in Albany, New York, on June 28th, 1961 to the late Luthera and Max Bayerer. On August 15th, 2026, Elsie passed away peacefully at Memorial Regional South Hospital surrounded by family.
Elsie was a beloved nurse for over 30 years across New York and South Florida, where she delivered the same level of attention and care to her patients as she did to all of her loved ones. Her skill as a nurse was only eclipsed by both her empathy as a loving mother and her indomitable, adventurous spirit. She lived how the rest of us can only hope to live – from spontaneous trips with her son and future daughter-in-law to delivering marbles of wisdom to anyone who needed them.
On her 52nd birthday, she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, and fought it with incomparable courage and strength for 13 years. The impact Elsie had on her family and friends and the memories she imparted upon us all underscore how she beat cancer every day, and how she continues to beat cancer even after passing. She will be missed dearly by her surviving son, Michael John Varnerin, daughter-in-law, Sophia Louise Griffith, daughter, Elise Marie Varnerin, cousins, Joseph and Laurel Livi and Rocco and Debra LaPorte, and pet companion, Eli.
Her family especially wants to thank Claudia Brooks, Marie DiPrima, and Sharon Bigelow, with whom Elsie was dear friends since college, and Kim Whaley and Carol Pearce, with whom Elsie was dear friends since her time as a nurse at Broward Health, along with her entire church family at St. Maurice at Resurrection. All were steadfast in their support in Elsie’s care and their friendship throughout her life.
A memorial service celebrating Elsie’s life will be held on Monday, August 24th, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Saint Maurice at Resurrection in Dania Beach, Florida. She will then be buried next to her late father at Our Lady of Angels cemetery in Colonie, New York.
