Veronica Dunfee

On October 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, MT on December 15, 1935.   Jeanne was a devoted & proud Mother of Seven, Grandmother of 10 & Great Grandmother of 6. Jeanne met her one & only life partner & Prince Charming, Skip Dunfee, while attending Butte Central High School. They married June 23rd 1956 & recently celebrated 65 years of a Joy filled marriage. However, those who know this Special couple saw them demonstrate incredible strength & courage when faced with many of life’s adversities. This modeling of Strength, Faith & Commitment has been leaned on & emulated by their immediate family & many others whom 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 & reflected her fundamental nature: Kindness, Thoughtfulness, Love, Empathy & Consideration.

Family always came first for Jeanne. Each & everyone felt uniquely special due to the genuine Love & 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 PB&J -- 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 & supporting her grandkids in their many sports & activities. She had a love for golf which led to many travel destinations & landing a hole in one on #16 at Buffalo Hill witnessed by her envious, PROUD & Shocked better half.  As with all of her accomplishments & 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 & daughter Kristen, parents John & Veronica Kelly, sisters Mary Helen Hackett & Nancy Larvie & in laws Bucky & Helen Dunfee. Survivors include her Adoring Husband, Skip,  children Karen (John) Lowney, Vince Dunfee, Kelly (Paul) Dennehy, Steve (Karen) Dunfee, & 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), & Shelbi Kusler. Great Grandchildren- Vivienne & Eliza Meyers, Finnegan Tighe, Jett Johnson, Sienna & Kai LaChance.

Jeanne is also survived by many nieces & nephews, including Colleen & Mike Hackett & Dr. Mykol Larvie who played significant roles in their Aunt Jeanne’s life & 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 November 6, 2021 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. A reception will follow at Buffalo Hill Golf Course 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!