Commander Varn attended Florida State College for Women (now FSU) and was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority.
                                                             
In August 1942, she was accepted as midshipman in the newly created arm of the U.S. Navy, the WAVES. Upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, she was commissioned and was one of the first three WAVES officers to be assigned  
outside of the continental United States.

At the end of World War II, she had attained the rank of Lieutenant. After World War II, Commander Varn entered the University of Florida and was the first woman editor of the Florida Law Review. She was tapped for Phi Beta Kappa, graduated summa cum laude from the UF School of Law, and was awarded a fellowship at Yale University.

After graduation, Commander Varn returned to the Navy, serving in offices of Chief of Naval Operations and Judge Advocate General, and was liaison for the Navy with       
Congress for three years.

At the time of her retirement, Commander Varn held the rank of Commander, and was one of the three highest ranking women officers in the U.S. Navy.

Commander Varn was preceded in death by her father, Claude Grady Varn; her mother, Marjorie Boor Varn; and her step-mother, Mary Belle Barber Varn.

She is survived by one brother, Wilfred C. Varn of Tallahassee; and three sisters, Marilyn Varn King of Bunnell; Helen Varn Holton of Flagler Beach; and Marjorie 
    Varn Leonard of St. Augustine.

Interment: Arlington National Cemetery with full military    honors, 13 July 2005.
                                                
Memorial contributions: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 4015 Wilson Blvd., 10th Floor, Arlington, Virginia 22203; or to The Community Hospice Foundation 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32257.