Veronica Jeanne Dunfee, 85
Veronica Jeanne Dunfee, 85
On Oct. 31, 2021, the gates of heaven opened wide for the arrival of a tiny, but mighty, spunky redhead named Veronica Jeanne Dunfee.
She was born to John and Veronica Kelly in Butte on Dec. 15, 1935. Jeanne was a devoted and proud mother of seven, grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of six. Jeanne met her one and only life partner and Prince Charming, Skip Dunfee, while attending Butte Central High School. They married June 23, 1956, and recently celebrated 65 years of a joy-filled marriage. However, those who know this special couple saw them demonstrate incredible strength and courage when faced with many of life’s adversities. This modeling of strength, faith and commitment has been leaned on and emulated by their immediate family and many others whose lives they’ve touched.
“Mom,” “Nana,” “Kel,” played countless roles throughout her life, with family, work and in the community, spanning a remarkable range. Varied as these roles were, there were certain traits that remained constant and reflected her fundamental nature: kindness, thoughtfulness, love, empathy and consideration.
Family always came first for Jeanne. Each and everyone felt uniquely special due to the genuine love and attention she gave. In her large extended family there were nearly innumerable children of all ages (from infancy to post-retirement!), and she cared for all with love and good humor. Her way of caring was a simple, yet profound, example to show us how to be our best selves. Her many small gestures — finding ice skates for the kid left behind when others went skating, making a meal for a hungry bunch, or showing how best to spread jam on a PBandJ — taught us to care for and look out for each other. These lessons have had a large impact on many, making us better people, and profoundly shaping our lives.
When she did find time for herself she enjoyed bowling, hosting bridge parties, traveling, dancing and supporting her grandkids in their many sports and activities. She had a love for golf which led to many travel destinations and landing a hole in one on no. 16 at Buffalo Hill witnessed by her envious, proud and shocked better half. As with all of her accomplishments and talents, she downplayed this incredible moment. She was humble to a fault, always reluctant to take credit for being the extraordinary woman she was!
Jeanne was preceded in death by her son Ed and daughter Kristen, parents John and Veronica Kelly, sisters Mary Helen Hackett and Nancy Larvie and in laws Bucky and Helen Dunfee.
Survivors include her adoring husband, Skip; children, Karen (John) Lowney, Vince Dunfee, Kelly (Paul) Dennehy, Steve (KP) Dunfee, and Kathy (Paul) Kusler; grandchildren, Laci Dunfee-Meyers (Brent), Daniel Lowney (Micaela), Keeley Tighe (David), Makenna Lowney, Derek Dennehy (Ashley), Devan Johnson (Bryant), Kyle Dunfee, Jason Dunfee (Alex), Karli Kusler-Peyton (Nick), and Shelbi Kusler; and great-grandchildren, Vivienne and Eliza Meyers, Finnegan Tighe, Jett Johnson, Sienna and Kai LaChance.
Jeanne is also survived by many nieces and nephews, including Colleen and Mike Hackett and Dr. Mykol Larvie who played significant roles in their Aunt Jeanne’s life and are so grateful for the constant bright light she was in theirs.
A memorial Mass will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. A reception will follow at Buffalo Hill Golf Club from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
In our hearts forever and ever, sweet Mama Jeanne! Fly free!