Obituary of Gail Stalcup Varley

Gail Stalcup Varley, 65, of Sterling, Virginia, passed away on February 12, 2023, in Leesburg, Virginia, after a long illness related to diabetes.  She was born as Gail Elizabeth Stalcup on June 5, 1957, at Arlington Hospital in Virginia, the sixth of eight children of William and Caroline Stalcup of McLean, Virginia.  About four years after her birth, Gail was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, which resulted in significant medical challenges throughout her life.  Despite those trials she lived a life of loving connection with her large, extended family.  Growing up, she was the leader of the original Park Road “Pirates,” siblings and cousins who spent hours together working on the farm, selling vegetables at the front yard stand, carving pumpkins, swimming at the pool, and playing kickball.  Gail graduated from McLean High School, where she was a cheerleader and played softball.  She also greatly enjoyed coaching younger softball players.  She pursued her love and talent with art at George Mason.  While pursuing those studies, she met and married the love of her life, Terry Varley, on August 23, 1980.  The following year, she gave birth to their son, John Michael.  Although Gail worked outside the home for a few years, her family was always her focus.  As he grew, Gail began homeschooling John, which also led to her teaching art to homeschooled students throughout northern Virginia.  Music was a life-long passion.  She sang in skits with the Pirates, at churches including Chesterbrook United Methodist Church, at many weddings, as part of the Covenant II band, and at family gatherings including the annual Pumpkin Hunt.  She turned her art skills into a greeting card ministry, providing cards to so many loved ones.  Throughout their married life, Terry was her companion, making music together, cheering John on the baseball field (or playing ball himself), supporting her artistic endeavors, by her side at family and church events, and her primary caregiver, supporter, and driver through three kidney transplants and other medical challenges.  Above all else, they shared devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ, a love and grace they shared with everyone they met.  Gail is survived by her husband Terry, son John Michael, daughter-in-law Maria, grandson John William, brothers William (Diane), Sam (Betsy), Phillip (Mickie), and Dana (Cindy), and sisters Sharon Goddard and Lina Cahan (David).  She was predeceased by her parents William and Caroline, brother George, sisters-in-law Kitty and Maria, and brother-in-law Dave Goddard.  Family will receive friends and relatives at Galilee Church, 45425 Winding Road, Sterling, VA 20165, at 1:30 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2023.  A memorial service will be held the same day at Galilee Church at 2:30 pm, with a reception to follow.  A graveside service will be held on Monday, February 20, 2023, at 10 am, at Union Cemetery, 323 N. King St., Leesburg, VA 20176.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a contribution to Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or online at www.samaritanspurse.org