Marie Claire Varga, born Marie Claire Wagner graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1962. She then graduate from Seton Hall in 1966, “Cum Laude” and began her teaching career here in Hamilton at the SunnyBrae Elementary School. She worked there for two years and then taught at the Stuart Country Day School for one year or until her daughter Julie arrived in 1969. Oh yeh, she married Al Varga in 1966.

Marie had a reputation as an outstanding teacher and was loved by he students.

Her son, Ted was born in 1971 and when Ted became school age, Marie went back to teaching at St. Anthony’s Elementary School where she taught 7 th grade. During those years in the 70’s, she was a mom, teacher and secretary for her husband who would receive narcotic informant calls all hours of the day.

Marie took so many of the calls because Al wasn’t always there, the local junkies and others of the criminal element knew Marie well enough to pass information to her for her husband. (She could get along with anyone).

Marie was an excellent Mom; she had her two children reading almost from the day they could see. Reading is one of Marie’s passions, along with family, church, and being a great wife

By the eighties, Marie had accepted a teaching job for the Burlington County Regional Schools, where she taught 7 th graders and eventually became a supervisor. She went back to school and earned her Master’s Degree from the College of New Jersey in Elementary Education Supervision.

However, the love of the classroom was stronger and relinquished her supervisory role and went back to teaching.

In 1998, after conducting a study and doing marketing research, Marie struck out on her own business. She established the Blue Ribbon Flower Company, a wholesale-retail cut flower business just for Bed and Breakfast Inns, restaurants, hotels, exclusive shops, interior decorators and other florist. Her customer base was Upper Buck County, Hunterdon County, Hamilton and Princeton. She has an established route that takes her to the most popular eating-places and lodges in the area. She has developed a reputation in the area for her great flowers, her knowledge of flowers and the great service her company provides.

In 1989, Al had become a Rotarian with the Hamilton Club and Marie became at Rotary Ann, However, as a business owner, Marie became a Rotarian with the Hamilton Club. She is a Paul Harris Fellow, has won the President’s Pot Award and was past president of the Hamilton Club in 2002-2003,

Marie’s hobbies include, reading, traveling, gardening, and giving her husband orders. She has raised two nifty kids, Julie owns the Cook and Baker Café, and Ted is currently working as a Title Agent, and taking his certification courses to become a teacher.

Marie is dedicated to the principles of Rotary; she loves her club and fellow members. She was particularly pleased by the generosity of the Hamilton Club and the great charities they support.

Marie has also been a volunteer for “Reading for the Blind,” she was Santa Claus several years at the Kuser Mansion open house, active with the Boy Scouts of America, and has received recognition by the Hamilton Municipal Government for her services to the community