Beverly Donnelly

Beverly was born in Bayonne, NJ to the late Walter and Henrietta Mullin. She was brought to Staten Island as an infant and lived in the same house on Treadwell Avenue in Port Richmond for the rest of her life.

She graduated from Port Richmond High School in June of 1952, and on September 7, 1952, married her long-time neighbor and the love of her life, Michael Donnelly. They spent 65 years together until his death in 2017. She spent most of her married life raising their three sons and when her two older boys were young, she and Michael were active in the West Shore Little League and in their faith community at Faith Methodist Church. Beverly re-entered the workforce in 1976 as a senior account clerk at the former Staten Island Developmental and Disabilities Services Organization until her retirement in 1997.

Beverly loved to travel, and enjoyed journeys with Michael, his sister Mary Jane and her husband Bruce McKee. Their travels took them far and wide, including Florida, Cape Cod and Sturbridge, MA; the Poconos, the Great Smoky Mountains, Memphis, TN, Niagara Falls, Montreal, Canada, and Nova Scotia, among others. A highlight of the year was the annual trip in the fall to Lancaster, PA for some serious shopping, eventually joined by her daughters-in-law and granddaughter.

Beverly was known for her culinary skills. The feasts at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and summer barbecues were legendary and involved her whole family. Her famous hot dog soup was a family favorite. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she delighted in purchasing gifts for her close and extended family, as well as friends. Once the grandchildren arrived, almost every surface in the living room was covered with gifts.

Beverly was predeceased by her husband, Michael; parents Walter and Henrietta; brothers Walter (Ward) and his wife Lorraine; Howard and his wife Theresa; sisters Charlotte Lankford and her husband Russell; and Constance Conti.

She is survived by her sons Michael (Valerie), Stephen, and Douglas (Deborah); grandchildren Michael (Chantal), Thomas, Jennifer (Raymond), Douglas Jr (Felicia), and Tara, as well as great grandchildren Addison Somerville and Douglas Donnelly III.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are greatly appreciated. This was Beverly’s favorite charity.