Bev, 86, passed away on Sunday, November 3 after a long battle with health issues.
“Despite these issues, Bev never lost her positive attitude,” husband Jim said.
The church service was conducted by Fr Junjun Amaya at the near-packed Sacred Heart Church Yarrawonga last Thursday, November 14.
Included in Jim’s eulogy was: “Beverley Helen McFarlane was born 31st October 1938 in Yarrawonga, the first child of Jack and Beryl, elder sister of Tony, Kerry (deceased) McFarlane and Chris Jolley.
“One of her earliest recollections is of being in Melbourne with Tony and their Mum staying with relatives, when a tall, slim, handsome man came in the front gate. It was her Dad, Jack, returning from war service.
“Bev had a happy childhood in Yarra and neighbouring towns Cobram and Tungamah. After leaving Sacred Heart, she worked at Briggs Chemist, loved to go to dances and balls, and eventually was encouraged to enter the Miss Australia Quest – as we all know she became Miss Victoria 1959.
“In the years after, she went to the big smoke, married, travelled extensively overseas and had three children, Michael, Caroline and James. Bev worked in a range of jobs including many in modelling. She was very photogenic. Times change. Lives change.”
In 1989, Bev returned to Yarrawonga to help care for her Mum and Dad who had health issues, with Beryl on dialysis; Jack passed away in 1991.
In late 1992, Bev and Jim met. Bev worked at Biggers, the golf club, Tony Tabors and Karen Vodusek at Patch Jeanery. At the turn of the century Beryl passed away and Tony’s wife Val died. Very sad times.
Bev and Jim were married in 1997. In 2005, Bev and her highly respected and wonderful Yarrawonga High School teacher and assistant principal, retired. “Retirement meant more time to travel,” Jim said and recalled the many significant train and road trips across Australia.
“In 2009, at the Nunn family reunion, we had the 50th year re-enactment of Bev’s home coming as Miss Victoria.
“In music she loved The Beatles, Eagles, Bee Gees, Queen, Frank Sinatra, Pavarotti, The Three Tenors, Andrea Bocelli and later Michael Ball.”
Jim mentioned Bev’s substantial community involvement: CWA – President at times, Arts Council – President at times (Jim treasurer), Allegro Theatre Company, Artist Group, church and community choirs and singing for the elderly, forming a trio with Lila Bennett and Cecilia Milne.
Cecilia Milne, who delivered the Second Reading at the funeral service, described Bev as “a person of beauty and selflessness who had the most beautiful soprano voice”.
Jim and Bev lived in their Mulwala home for the past 30 years. Jim expressed his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Drs Tanya Jones and Russell Auwardt at Yarrawonga, and all other doctors, nurses, dialysis nurses at Wangaratta and Yarrawonga “for extending our life together, 32 plus years of happiness”.
“Bev turned 86 on Thursday, 3rd October, she passed away peacefully on Sunday, 3rd November at 6.00pm, surrounded by family. Rest in peace, Bev.”
Following the committal service at Mulwala Cemetery, mourners shared lots of wonderful memories at Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort.
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