Jeannine Masek Varenhorst age 94, passed away peacefully at home on January 14th 2025. She was surrounded by her loving caregivers and her beloved kitty Willow. Jeannine was cherished by everyone who knew her for her gentle spirit, great sense of humor and eternal optimism.
Even after her stroke 5 years before her death, she said she was looking forward to the future. She continued to vote, dine out in restaurants, and enjoy chocolate, snickerdoodle cookies, and her granddaughter Chloe’s key lime pie. She continued to meet weekly with her group friends she called “The Blue Haired Ladies” for lunch, political discussions and laughter.
Jeannine was born in Wilber, Nebraska in 1930, the only child of Edward and Emma Mashek. She credited her frugality to her start as a child of the Great Depression. Nevertheless, she was enormously generous. She gave regularly to a multitude of causes, from the Humane Society to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clemson and many others.
Jeannine was raised in Lacrosse, Kansas. When her mother remarried she gained a step-sister Joy Robinett. Jeannine and Joy remained fast friends throughout their lives. When in her 80’s Jeannine took an arduous road trip to Conway, Arkansas for one last visit before Joy passed away from old age just two months later.
Jeannine graduated from the University of Kansas in 1951 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and a fiancée Glenn Varenhorst, a fellow student, whom she married in December 1951.
Jeannine and Glenn moved to the Washington DC area, where Glenn served in the Army for 4 years and Jeannine worked as a secretary at the Pentagon. They had their daughter Laurie on October 18th, 1960 and their son Glenn “Regan” on June 26, 1964.
The family settled in Clemson, SC where Jeannine and Glenn both worked at Clemson University. During her 30 years working as an accountant at the university, Jeannine made enduring friendships that lasted until her dying day. She also served for many years as the treasurer of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Clemson, SC.
In 1995 her son “Regan” Varenhorst married Denise Mehrman in Atlanta and they soon blessed Jeannine with three grandchildren, Ivy, Tim, and Chloe, who adored her and came to visit her often throughout her entire life.
Jeannine doted on her grandchildren with regular shipments of books they still cherish and are saving for their own children.
Jeannine loved to tell funny stories and jokes and admire good looking men well into her 90’s, stating “You’re never too old to look!” Jeannine loved to joke that “cook is a four letter word.” She preferred to eat at local restaurants where the staff all seemed to know her for her delightful personality and generous tipping.
Jeannine lovingly cared for her husband Glenn while he suffered through decades of Parkinson’s Disease. Jeannine put enormous effort into keeping Glenn comfortable at home until he passed away in 1998. Her son was determined to fulfill his mother’s wish to also live in her home until her death. After her stroke, Regan poured his energy into organizing the most excellent and loving care for Jeannine in her home by the staff of C3 Eldercare and her physician, Dr. Liebman, who made house calls, and finally Crescent Hospice.
Jeannine was adamant that she did not want a memorial service, but rather just wanted her ashes scattered with her late husband’s at Whitewater Falls in South Carolina, along with the ashes of her beloved cat Bear.
Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home is assisting the family.
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