Obituary: Beverky (Connery) Dunn-Philumalee - Class of 1950

MADISON / MIDDLETON - Beverly passed away very peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, with her four sons and daughters-in-law by her side at the Villa of Middleton Village Nursing home. Beverly was born in Milwaukee on Sept. 20, 1931, and moved to Madison when she was very young. She attended St. Raphael's and graduated from Madison Central in 1949. Beverly was the second oldest of the 15 children of Maurice and Lucille Connery. Raised in the Greenbush district, Bev had many stories to tell. She married Ronald J. Dunn on June 15, 1950. They lived in a few places before settling on Madison's east side. She worked most of her life in the restaurant business and owned first the Fair Oaks Cafe and then Bev's Restaurant on E. Washington Ave. for over 30 years. After Ron's passing, she moved with her second husband, Harvey Philumalee, to Marshall and helped her son, Jason with a new restaurant, Bev's on Main. Shortly after the move, Harvey and Bev retired in Marshall. When Harvey passed away in 2004, Bev stayed in Marshall until moving to Middleton in 2007. She had a great time living above the Vespa store at Dunn's Import, owned by her son, Jeffrey. As her health diminished, her final move was to the Villa at Middleton Village where the nursing staff and Agrace HospiceCare took exceptional care of her. Beverly was a lifetime member of the VFW women's auxiliary. She and Harvey belonged to the Madison Vintage Auto Club for many years. She especially loved just spending time with family and friends. Bev is survived by her four sons, John (Deidre) of Middleton, Jeff (Susan) of Middleton, Jim (Jean) of Madison and Jason (Beth) of Marshall; and her stepdaughter, Tammy (Tom) Dettinger of Madison. She is also survived by Eight of her 15 brothers and sisters, Don Connery, Joe (Linda) Connery, Mary Lou (Roger) Claus, Emmett (JoAnn) Connery, Tom (Bev) Connery, Sandy (Jim) Bancroft, Tim (Randy) Connery, Jerry (Patty) Connery; brother-in-law, Lenny Small; and sisters-in-law, Carol Connery and Kathy Connery. The list of nephews, nieces, grandkids and great-grandkids would be too overwhelming to list, but do know she loved every one of them very much. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ronald Dunn in 1981 and her husband Harvey Philumalee in 2004; her siblings, Jean (Dennis) "Dutch" Whitmore, Morris "Muggs" Connery, Richard (Kathryn) Connery, Ruth Ann Small, Pat Connery and Michael Connery. Her spirit will live on through the hearts and minds of all who were fortunate to know and love her. A Celebration of her life will be held at the GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. followed by a gathering with food, drink and conversation at EAST SIDE CLUB, 3735 Monona Drive, Madison. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Agrace HospiceCare. Their services were greatly appreciated.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 28, 2014. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Note: The graduation year given in the obituary may be incorrect. According to the 1950 Tychoberahn yearbook and the Wisconsin State Journal list of Class of 1950 graduates, Beverly Connery graduated in 1950.