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Lenora Varitek
Lenora Ann (Knox) Varitek, 89, of Boise, died on July 24, 2009, after a long life which began on July 31, 1919, born to Walter Graham and Elsie (Clouser) Knox in Miami, Fla.
A viewing will be held Friday, July 31, 2009, at 4 p.m., with a vigil service with rosary to be held at 6 p.m., at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, Mountain Home. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., at Good Counsel Catholic Church, Mountain Home. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Mountain Home.
Lenora was the fifth of seven children. Lenora was raised in West Palm Beach, Fla., where she attended school and graduated from Palm Beach High School in 1937.
Lenora was known for her cheery disposition, laugh and relaying of jokes.
She was always eager to share with her children and grandchildren her antics as a child growing up in a large family.
She met Vincent Andrew Varitek while he was stationed in the Army Air Corps at Morrison Field in West Palm Beach, Fla. They were married on March 8, 1943, at St. Ann's Catholic Church.
With each transfer, as part of Vincent's Air Force career, Lenora set up home for their family in several different states. After retiring in 1962, in Texas, they returned to Idaho where previously they found community in Mountain Home. Lenora lived in Mountain Home over 50 years. The last three years of her life, she lived in Boise with her daughters Cecilia and Katherine.
Lenora was a faithful member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Mountain Home. She was an active member of the Altar Society/Mother Cabrini Sodality for many years, serving as president and secretary. After moving to Boise, she found an emotional connection to Sacred Heart Church and their parish community.
Lenora had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She said many of her prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She felt there was no better way to pray than to the Mother of Jesus to intercede for her.
Since about December 1995, Lenora anonymously gave a gift of a childšs rosary to each newly baptized child in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. She wanted their first rosary to be one that they could "cut their teeth" on and use in prayer as they became practicing Catholics.
Lenora was a wonderful wife and mother. Her husband and family always came first. Motherhood was not taken lightly by Lenora. Lenora was the glue that held the family together as Vincent's career in the Air Force, meant overseas assignments. She assumed both parental roles in his absence. She was a strong and determined lady!
After their youngest child started school in 1968, Lenora started working at North Elementary School as a school lunch kitchen worker. After several years she became School Lunch Kitchen Manager at North Elementary. She was an active member of the School Food Association and served as secretary and president. She worked until May 1980 and retired to be home with Vincent, who had retired from Civil Service earlier in the year.
After retiring, Vincent and Lenora traveled, pulling their fifth wheel every winter to Arizona and the South Padre Island in south Texas for about five years. Lenora and Vincent quit traveling because of Vincentšs poor health.
Her devotion and love for her husband was a great example to all who touched her life. She continued to care for Vincent with Ceciliašs loving assistance towards the end, until his death in August 2003.
Lenora is survived by her six children: Vincent Varitek, Jr. (Marylyn), Julia Sandrus (William), Patricia Masten (William), Katherine Varitek (Paul Livesay), Cecilia Varitek, and Teresa Kosik (Michael); nine grandchildren: Angela, Marc, Matthew, Kevin, Christopher, Monica, Jonathan, Joan and Randy; 12 great-grandchildren, one sister; Carolyn Downs (Bob), one brother; Jimmy Knox (Frances) and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 60 years, two sisters; Mary Mumaw (Malcolm) and Beulah Lewis (Edwin) and two brothers; Eddie Knox (Wilma) and Walter Knox (Ruby) and one grandson.
Donations in Lenorašs memory can be made to Walking Rosary at Nazareth Retreat Center, Knights of Columbus, Financer Secretary of Counsel, 12854 c/o Risen Christ Catholic Community, 11511 W. Lake Hazel Rd, Boise, ID 83709.