Submitted by: Dan Rich

Mary C. Varga

Jan. 15, 1922 - Dec. 8, 2007

South Bend Tribune 12/12/2007
SOUTH BEND - Mary C. Varga, 85, of St. Johns Way, South Bend, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend. Mary was born on January 15, 1922, in South Bend, to the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Rovacs) Chillag, and was a lifelong area resident.

On May 25, 1946, she married Joseph J. Varga, who preceded her in death on April 21, 1997. Along with her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by beloved sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Jerzak, sister, Julia Farkas, and two brothers, Steve and Joe Nagy. Mary is survived by her three sons, Richard (Ellen) Varga of Rockford, IL, Randolph (Connie) Varga and Joseph (Connie) Varga, both of South Bend; eight grandchildren, Tracy Bardell, Kelley Varga, Shayne Varga, Maranda VanBruaene, Ryan Varga, Joseph J. Varga, Mary Cate and Madeline Varga; and by two great-grandchildren, Alexis Varga and Jake VanBruaene.

Mary was born of Hungarian immigrants and learned early the value of hard work, thrift and determination to carry on in the face of any adversity. Those values were steadfastly grounded into the remainder of her life. Her resolve would be tested at a young age. Mary was 14 when her mother passed away and was 16 when tragically her father died, in March 1938. She was cared for by her older brothers, Steve and Joseph, and by her wonderful sister, Betty. Determined to make something of herself, she graduated from high school and quickly thereafter from cosmetology school. She was determined to be the best beautician she could be and run her own business. After learning on the set of "Knute Rockne All American" she began an almost 60-year career in the beauty business, working for Tom and Avis, and ultimately owning the Brentwood Beauty Salons I and II. She loved her career and was on the cutting edge for many years. Mostly though, she loved people and her clientele became her friends and her family's friends. When Mary finally retired in the mid-90s, the clients wouldn't stop calling, even though she had laid her brushes down. A couple of years after starting her career, she met her future husband, Joseph J. Varga of Chapin Street, South Bend.

Throughout World War II, they corresponded and, upon his return, she married Joe, the love of her life. Their union would last 51 years. Mary and Joe's life together was punctuated by pure and genuine love for each other. This spilled over to the love Mary had for her sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mary and Joe loved to dance, cook, attend parties and weddings, and host people at the lake in the summer. Mary was fond of reading, playing cards of all sorts, playing bingo, and traveling to Florida and Las Vegas. Throughout her life, she remained an active member of the Memorial Presbyterian Church. She served the church in various roles. Mary died the other day the way she lived, with a steadfast determination to carry on, but peacefully and silently God called her home.

Visitation for Mary will be from 3 to 8 PM Friday, December 14, 2007, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, December 15, 2007, in the Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1836 N. Portage Ave., South Bend, with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery, South Bend. Memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1836 N. Portage Ave., South Bend, IN 46616.