South Portland- Faith E. (Wixson) Varney, 88, passed away July 30, 2022. She was born July 8, 1934 in Waterville to Hope E. (Craig) and Eldwin Wixson Sr. As the daughter of a dairy farmer and schoolteacher; she learned the value of family and hard work at a young age.
Pursuing her passion for music, she attended the University of Maine where she met her future husband, Erlon, and graduated in 1956 with a BA in music, returning later to receive a Master of Education in 1965. For more than 30 years, she served as a music teacher in the Falmouth School system, leading many children to enjoy music as she did.
In 2001, she was inducted into the Maine Music Educators Association Hall of Fame, where she also served two terms as president, and received an Alumni Activities (M-Block) Award from the University of Maine. She was also named “Citizen of the Year” in Falmouth.
She served as the choir director at Central Square Baptist Church for more than 25 years and was active on various church boards and committees.
In addition to being a member of Falmouth Congregational Church, she was also a longtime member of Fort Halifax Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Fort Halifax Grange, Jaycee Wives, Deering Chapter of the Eastern Star and the Lady’s Woodfords Club.
In the words of her brother, his little sister “grew to be a remarkable woman.”
Faith and Erlon shared many adventures, traveling throughout the country and abroad. She also enjoyed reading, gardening and playing the French Horn in various community bands.
Throughout her 66-year marriage, she was a loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother and more recently, great-grandmother. She was very supportive of her husband’s career and shared in her children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments, attending numerous sporting events and musical concerts. She enjoyed hosting family Thanksgiving gatherings at her home and family reunions at their camp in Falmouth.
Faith is survived by her loving husband, Erlon, of Falmouth; brother Eldwin “Windy” Wixson and sister-in-law Marilyn of Plymouth, NH, brother-in-law Glenn Gruber of Pasadena, CA; Varney sons, Norman (Gretel) of North Yarmouth and Edward (Karen) of Northport; Varney grandchildren, Jason (Nancy) of Waltham, Mass., Justin (Erin) of Northport, Russell (Jackie) of Dalton, Mass., and Sarah of Worcester, Mass; Varney great-grandsons, Kayce of Northport, and Paul of Dalton, Mass, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her sister, Sharon Clark, and sister-in-law, Rowena Palmer.
Family and friends are invited to a time of visitation on August 17, 2022 from 4 to 6 pm at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. A funeral service, officiated by Pastor Amelia Edson, is set for 1 pm on August 18, 2022 at the Falmouth Congregational Church, 267 Falmouth Rd. Falmouth. A private committal service will be held later at the Village Cemetery in St. Albans, and will be officiated by Faith’s niece, Rev. Jennifer Wixson.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Faith’s memory to the Falmouth Memorial Library, 5 Lunt Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105 or online https://www.falmouthmemoriallibrary.org/
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for the Varney family.
