For Margie Varney, retirement is never an option. “Starting a new chapter is what I have done many times, but never retirement,” said the former community builder, world trade executive, retail shop owner, political advocate and business executive.
Margie began her volunteer service at Grace Medical Home as a Greeter in 2017 and she continues to serve as a Front Desk volunteer today. But that’s not all she does for Grace. Margie also works part-time in Care Coordination. She assists patients to make appointments with more than 40 referring specialists, such as urology, dermatology or gastroenterology, who volunteer time to see Grace patients at their practice. She even works to provide Uber transportation for patients to get to the help they need.
Her friend, Grace Trustee Marilyn King, initially encouraged Margie to consider volunteering. “I loved the idea of helping people. I believe that to whom much has been given, much is expected to give back,” she said. “I am only one of the many at Grace who are serving others and I just love it.”
A deeply spiritual woman, Margie is Jewish and calls herself an “odd person at Grace in some ways” but says, “If we lived like Jesus taught us to live, we would have a much better world.” With an active yoga practice, Margie said learning to breathe deeply has improved her mental health and physical being. “And, I’ve learned that when you let go, you open yourself to God’s messages,” she said.
That’s what led her to Grace, where she admires all of her co-workers. “They are totally selfless. Nothing matters such as race, color, ethnicity – if you need medical help and you qualify, you will receive the finest care and grace.”
