Carolyn Inez Austin Varnerin, 87, of Sidney, Maine, passed away at Maine General Medical Center

surrounded by her loving family on November 18, 2025.

She was born in Pittsfield, Maine on March 29,1938 to Carold Isreal Austin and Dorothy Drew Austin.

Carolyn graduated from Erskine Academy in 1956. After high school Carolyn was a woman with

varying career interests. She worked at the Maine State Police Barracks, Stevens Girl School, and

Togus Hospital as a cook. She also sold insurance for Prudential later in her career, where she

received numerous awards for her salesmanship. Carolyn’s favorite position was working in her

granddaughter’s childcare center when she was in her seventies. She was known to all the children in

the center as Daycare Grammy.

Her biggest joys in life were her family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Carolyn was an avid reader and bird watcher. She also loved to cook and felt no one could match her

culinary skills. Pie making was one of her passions, she turned her piemaking hobby into a side

business selling pies to Wicked Good Restaurant located in Augusta, Maine.

Carolyn thoroughly enjoyed time spent on the ocean, she enjoyed camping at campgrounds, riding

snowmobiles and motorcycles with her husband and family.

On March 18, 1977, Carolyn married Jeffrey D. Varnerin, the love of her life.

Carolyn is survived by her husband of 48 years, Jeffrey D. Varnerin. Her five children, Deborah and

Ricki Pomerleau of Belgrade, Maine. Carol and Donald Bean of Augusta Maine. Jered Carr of

Chicago, Illinois, Catherine and Karl Dostie of Gardiner, Maine. Michael Varnerin of Augusta, Maine

and former daughter in law, Tanya Lennon of Albion, Maine.

Carolyn’s favorite role was that of a grandparent. She treasured her time with her grandkids and

loved being their grandparent. Whether she was sitting in the stands at one of their sporting events,

hosted countless sleepovers at Grammys house, and cooking goodies with her grandchildren.

Carolyn will be missed by all her grandchildren: Megan Carr Martin, Chelsee Bean, Darren Bean,

Courtney Pomerleau, Whitley Dostie, Jacob Lennon, and Bradley Lennon. She had many great-

grandchildren that she also adored: Abigail Bucknam, Austin Bucknam, Jayden Hutchins, Morgan

Lawrence, Zoey Bean, and Fiona Martin.

As a special mention Carolyn was very fond of Ryan Bucknam and Cecile Studley.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her infant son David Carr, Her parents Carold and Dorothy Austin

her siblings Bernard Austin, Barclay Austin, Douglas Austin, Twin Sisters Jean and Jane Austin,

Meredith Latlip, and Virginia Burgess.

She is survived by her sisters, Gail Skelton of Richmond, Maine and Nancy Austin of Sarasota,

Florida.

Carolyn’s family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date.