San Rafael, CA

Eileen Elizabeth Varin passed away at the age of 65 at her home in San Rafael after a nine-month battle with abdominal cancer which she faced with courage, grit, and acceptance. She never complained about her impending loss of life. Instead, she talked about how lucky she had been.

Though much could be said about Eileen and the remarkable woman that she was, this obituary seeks to reflect her spirit and the lasting impact she had on her family, friends, colleagues, and students. Eileen was kind, patient, and full of grace. She was non-judgmental, accepting, and an amazing listener. She made everyone feel loved and cared for. New acquittances would find themselves telling her their life’s story--including very personal details--the first time they met.

Eileen was gifted. She did everything well and would have been successful in any career. Her choice was to work with children with learning difficulties. In 1985 she moved to San Rafael to complete a master’s degree in psychotherapy with an internship at St. Vincent’s School for Boys. Upon completion of the degree, she was hired by the school as both a therapist and teacher at the Timothy Murphy School, St. Vincent’s on campus K-8. She worked with the troubled boys who lived at St. Vincent’s and attended the school. The boys she taught had been moved to St. Vincent’s away from their families of origin for various reasons.

After leaving St. Vincent’s, Eileen taught at the Tam Valley School for a year before joining Mark Day School (previously St. Mark’s School) where she worked until she retired. At Mark Day School her primary job was as a learning specialist and worked with students with learning difficulties to help them overcome their challenges and be successful in school. “The Marker”, the school’s magazine, in memoriam to Eileen Varin wrote: “She worked at Mark Day School for 28 years and was known for her kindness; her warmth and humor with students and colleagues alike; and her gentle and supportive approach.”

Eileen loved her family and her pets, travel, the outdoors, listening to music, dancing, and spending undisturbed time alone reading a book. She was confident, strong, and independent, and when it came to decisions she felt were important, she always chose the course that made sense to her—morally, fiscally, and intellectually.

Eileen Elizabeth Varin was born in Connecticut on October 14, 1958 and died on June 9, 2024. When she was six, she moved to Royal Oak, Michigan where she lived until she left for college. She often expressed gratitude about her happy childhood and fulfilling life. She is survived by her husband, Joshua Dimondstein; her parents, James and Mary Varin; and her sister, Jane Varin.