Ms. Linda Joyce Varni

Linda Joyce Varni, age 73, of Belmont, California, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. Linda was born on November 2, 1949 in San Mateo, California, daughter to the late Ferdinando and Rose Barcellone. As a young girl, she worked alongside her sister, Shirley at their parents’ family business in Half Moon Bay, Barcellone’s Fruit and Vegetable Stand located along Hwy 1. Growing up, Linda and her sister enjoyed being members of 4-H. Linda moved to Belmont, California in 1975 after she married the love of her life, Russell Varni. The marriage was blessed with two children, Michael and Jeannine. Linda’s first job outside of the family business was working for Pan Am Airlines. She loved working there and enjoyed her traveling benefits until 1991. In 1994, Linda earned her real estate license and really enjoyed helping people in the Bay Area achieve the American dream of homeownership. After Russell passed away in 1998, she took over his Allison Transmission shop named Superior Transmissions, Inc. until 2012. She helped to repair countless firetrucks, tour busses, school busses, sanitary and delivery trucks. She last worked at Intero Real Estate Services in San Carlos, California and was loved and respected among her colleagues. A lifelong learner, Linda and her cousin, who became her BFF, Marion Mello, happily learned to crochet from Linda’s mom, Rose. They really enjoyed this time together and Linda loved making blankets and scarves ever since. One winter she crocheted everyone the cutest booties and the whole family was wearing them. Linda was a bright light and radiated kindness wherever she went. She would walk into your home with a homemade treat (her specialties were artichoke frittata and delicious biscotti) and offer to do your dishes, when she was the guest. Her smile was contagious and a part of who she was. Linda had a knack for connecting with people and she touched so many lives with her warmth, her caring and kind personality that made everyone want to be around her. She was pretty much everyone’s favorite person and was easy to love. Linda moved to Milton, Georgia in 2021 to live closer to her grandchildren whom she adored. She loved spending time with them almost every single day. Her grandchildren had such a strong connection with their Nana from the start. Kelsey’s middle name, Lynn, was a nickname of Linda’s from her husband Russell and other close friends. Of all the things she did in life, it was quite evident that being Nana to Russell and Kelsey was by far her favorite thing. Along with her parents, Linda is preceded in death by her grandparents, Ernesto and Santina Giovannoni, her brother Lawrence John Barcellone (age 2), and Russell Varni. She is survived by her two loving children, Michael Varni, of Milton, Georgia and Jeannine Sheehan (Kyle), of Alpharetta, Georgia; her two grandchildren, Russell Lightfoot Sheehan (age 2) and Kelsey Lynn Sheehan (age 10 months); her sister, Shirley Moorhouse, of Half Moon Bay, CA; many nephews and nieces including her godson and nephew, Jason Moorhouse (Kristin), and goddaughter, Dawn Presse (Chris). Linda’s passing has left a void in our lives, and we will miss her incredibly. Russell and Kelsey will always know how much Nana loved them. We will raise them with her sense of kindness. Linda’s Celebration of Life will take place at 10 o’clock in the morning on January 14, 2023 at Redwood City Baptist Church at 2323 Euclid Avenue, Redwood City, California. The interment will take place at Skylawn Memorial Park. A reception and lunch to follow the conclusion of the interment service when we return to Redwood City Baptist Church at the Fellowship Hall. All are invited to attend.

Ms. Linda Joyce Varni

November 2, 1949 - December 7, 2022