Beverly J. Pharo

Madison -- Beverly J. Pharo, age 78, died on Friday, November 6, 2009 at the Capitol Lakes Health Center after a long illness. She was born on September 8, 1931 in Madison to parents, Jack and Hella Johnson. Bev lived in Madison in the Nakoma neighborhood. She attended Nakoma School through 8^th grade, then attended and graduated from West High School where she was very active in orchestra, band, choir and triple trio. She was also a cheerleader and attended most of the out of town games. Upon graduation, she attended nursing school at Madison General Hospital then Cook County Hospital in Chicago. After graduation in 1952, she and Thomas Pharo married, and lived in Topeka, Kansas where he was stationed as an air policeman in the US Air Force. Bev worked as a registered nurse at the Meningers Psychiatric Clinic for 1 years, then at the Stormont Vail Hospital in the Special Care Nursery. After their son, James Michael, was born at the Air Force Base in 1954, they returned to Madison where Bev resumed her nursing career at Madison General Hospital. Bev and Tom celebrated the birth of their daughter, Jaye Lynn, in 1957, and son, Jeffrey Thomas, in 1965. In addition to her nursing career, Bev loved teaching piano lessons. In 1971, Bev transferred to Methodist Hospital in Madison where she worked as a psychiatric nurse until 1988 when Methodist and Madison General Hospitals merged to form Meriter Hospital. Bev continued working in the psychiatric unit until she retired in December of 2004. Bev was always interested and involved in sports and other activities that remained important to her. Bev especially loved golf, and was a member of the Women's Municipal Golf Association, and bowling, where she participated in many leagues. Bev relaxed by knitting, beading, and reading. Bev was an avid gardener, and loved sharing these treasured activities with friends. Bev shared special relationships with her beloved dogs, Raja, Amanda, Kimmie and Garret. Bev was a staunch supporter of animal rights, and had a special fondness for elephants. Bev was preceded in death by her daughter, Jaye, who died in a car crash in 2001; her parents; brothers, Donald and Jack ""Bud""; and former husband, Tom. She is survived by her sons, James (Tomee) and Jeffrey (Amy); 5 grandchildren; a great grandchild; her sister, Marge (Jack) Griffith; and other family and friends. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison with a visitation from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. A special thank you to the wonderful staff at Capitol Lakes for all they did for our mother.