Beverly A. Dunn, 88
Beverly A. Dunn, 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Sandpoint, Idaho.
A celebration of her life will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, in Bev’s backyard, with Pastor Andy Kennaly officiating from the First Presbyterian Church. Dress is casual and a reception will be held at the house following the service.
Bev was born on June 2, 1934, in Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield, N.J., to Paul and Idabelle Archbold, the oldest of two children. They resided in Scotch Plains, later moving to Plainfield after Bev graduated from Scotch Plains High School. Her first car was a convertible in which she loved to cruise. Bev attended Cedar Crest College for one year in 1952 and then attended Katharine Gibb’s Secretarial School in 1953.
She began her work career as a secretary with Manpower, Inc. and worked in a variety of businesses. Bev married Frank Dunn on December 1, 1962, in Plainfield. They met on a ski trip. Her only child, Carol, was born October 1, 1963. Bev worked part time in the secretarial pool at Bell Laboratories from 1967-1974, covering vacations and illnesses. She later rejoined the company full-time in 1981 when Carol when off to college. She worked her way up the ladder to be an executive secretary for what became AT&T (Ma Bell), and finally Lucent Technology (all the same company) in Holmdel, N.J. Bev also worked for Brookdale Community College part-time, and later full time from 1974-1981, in the Community Services Division. There she helped schedule art and museum trips into New York City; trips throughout New England; and local educational and sports activities for children and adults. The position allowed Bev and Carol to go to many museums, art galleries, ballets and concerts together in New York City. It was a wonderful place to work as an avid lover of arts and culture, and Bev enjoyed organizing adventures for her friends and daughter. When Bev’s first grandchild, Kelly Ann, was born in 1998, she began visiting Sandpoint every three months; her grandson, Wesley Shane, was born in September 2000. Bev retired to be near her family and moved from Lincroft, N.J., where she lived for 38 years, to Sandpoint in 2003.
Bev loved being involved in anything her grandchildren or daughter were doing. Consequently, she was always busy and accepting of constant change. She volunteered for Ms. Peggy Gaudet at both Farmin, and later Kootenai Elementary school, for 10 years, helping the children with practicing reading and making bread. This was a source of great joy and fun. She was in the PTA and enjoyed supporting many national and local nonprofit organizations that were focused on children, animals and nature. Bev always stepped up, as a school volunteer; a Brownie and Girl Scout leader; a softball co-coach, and even a softball umpire, simply because there was a need to be filled. Bev was a kind and giving person, known for her laughter, quick wit and excellent listening skills. She was always helping other people see their potential and was committed to helping her friends find their way out of problems through her tenacious encouragement and grounded optimism.
She is survived by her daughter, Carol (Chris) Curtis of Sandpoint; two grandchildren, Kelly and Shane Curtis of Sandpoint; sister-in-law, Judy Archbold; and her niece and nephews, Tracey, Paul and Robert Archbold. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Frank Dunn, and only brother Paul Archbold.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Beverly Dunn’s memory to either the Nature Conservancy or the Better Together Animal Alliance.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Bev’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.