Elsie Varnerin, 65, Dedicated Nurse and Hollywood Community Member Dies

Hollywood resident Elsie Louise Varnerin, a dedicated nurse and beloved community member, died peacefully Aug. 15, 2026, at Memorial Regional South Hospital. She was 65.

Born June 28, 1961, in Albany, New York, to the late Luthera and Max Bayerer, Varnerin worked as a nurse for more than 30 years in New York and South Florida. Her commitment to patient care mirrored the attention and love she gave her family and friends.

Diagnosed with breast cancer on her 52nd birthday, Varnerin battled the disease for 13 years. Her family noted that she lived fully, emphasizing the impact she had on loved ones and the memories she created.

She is survived by her son, Michael John Varnerin; daughter-in-law, Sophia Louise Griffith; and daughter, Elise Marie Varnerin. She also leaves behind cousins Joseph and Laurel Livi, Rocco and Debra LaPorte, and her pet companion, Eli.

Varnerin's family thanked her college friends Claudia Brooks, Marie DiPrima and Sharon Bigelow, as well as nurse friends Kim Whaley and Carol Pearce. Her church family at St. Maurice at Resurrection also provided steadfast support.

A memorial service celebrating Varnerin's life took place Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, at 10 a.m. at St. Maurice at Resurrection in Dania Beach, Florida. She was buried next to her father at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Colonie, New York.