Wheeler Funeral Home 26 Church Street Oakland, Maine 04963 207-465-3011 Oakland: Gretchen Elizabeth Varney-Salley 42, died Saturday May 24, 2014 at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. She was born in Waterville on July 8, 1971 the daughter of Charles E. And Barbara M. (Westman) Varney III. Gretchen attended Oakland schools, graduating from Messalonskee High School Class of 1990. She attended the University of Maine in Augusta. Gretchen worked as a PCA and PSS for Mainely Elder Care in Oakland, Care and Comfort in Waterville and Assistance Plus in Benton. She was a member of the Oakland-Sidney United Methodist Church. Gretchen was active in her son s life and enjoyed following all of his sports interests, especially baseball and soccer. She was an avid gamer, playing dungeons and dragons and other games with her friends. She loved both animals and people and would help anyone that needed a hand. At home, she loved to bake and was an avid movie watcher. She enjoyed music and supported the Messalonskee choir and music programs. Gretchen was predeceased by her father, Charles E. Varney III. Surviving is her husband Joseph R. Salley who she married on August 16, 2006, her mother Barbara M. Varney and her life partner Francis J. Breard of Waterville, her son Tristan Charles Thibodeau of Oakland, her god daughter Andrea Gilbert and husband Frank Siekierski, several aunts, uncles, and cousins. A memorial service to celebrate Gretchen s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday June 28 at the Oakland-Sidney United Methodist Church, West School Street Oakland. Arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home of Oakland www.wheelerfh.com In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Varney Family Scholarship Fund Oakland-Sidney United Methodist Church West School St. Oakland, ME 04963