Mariet Sagrestano was born at home on Butler Street in Brooklyn New York. She was the third oldest of 8 children. Her childhood days were spent listening to Metropolitan Opera and/or Broadway show tunes while helping to cook and clean.

Mariet excelled in high school and was the winner of the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award. She received a scholarship to New York University upon graduating from high school. She declined it due to family circumstances. She entered Brooklyn Hospital’s Nursing School .

Then she fell in love. John and Mariet Varban married on August 19,1950. They were blessed with the births of Loretta, followed by Debra. Mariet pursued and received a license in practical nursing. John and Mariet’s lives were further enriched with the births of Mathilda, Joan and Lee. She worked weekends at various city hospitals, while working full time as a mother and wife.

In 1972, at the age of 42 and 3 children at home, Mariet pursed her dream of further education. After studying nights and weekends, she graduated Tau Phi Sigma from New York Community College with an Associate in Arts Degree in 1976.

She went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Queens College, City University of New York in 1978 with Bachelor of Arts. She received high honors in Health in The Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Mariet was awarded a teaching fellowship at Long Island University, but had to discontinue to take care of her beloved father-in-law Dumitru Varban, “Pop”. Family was an important part of Mariet’s life. She was an endless resource of comfort, encouragement and support for her sisters and brothers.

Mariet’s outstanding compassion, discipline and strength led to a career as a substance abuse counselor. She began working with addicted individuals at a drug treatment center in Long Island City. This was a period of time when the AIDS epidemic scourged the earth. Her patients grew to love and trust her as they struggled with their disease. She continued to care for patients at a drug treatment center at Long Island Jewish Hospital until her retirement at the age of 69.

Mariet and John loved spending hours attending art museums, lectures and participating in book clubs. They traveled extensively. There was no job Mariet treasured more than being a Nana. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren loved her hugs, her smile, and delicious Sunday dinners.

Mariet was a model of love, compassion and kindness. She was hardworking, caring and resilient. She fought on behalf of the sick, unloved, and underserved. She was one fearless woman with a strong moral compass.

She was a woman, a wife, a mother. She was our heart, our world.

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