NORTH CANAAN — Beatrice Humes Bunce, 89, of Brooksville, Florida, formerly of North Canaan, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Sept. 13, 2026.
Born on July 29, 1937, in North Canaan, to Douglas E. Humes Sr. and Claudine Goodsill Humes, Bea grew up in Clayton and graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
Bea worked as a school bus driver for Dufour Brothers and later cherished her time at home caring for her grandchildren. She loved soaking up the sun by the pool, camping at Deer Run, and attending concerts at Hunter Mountain. She was also an avid knitter, creating cherished blankets for every grandchild and great-grandchild, as well as for many dear friends.
Her grandchildren will always remember mornings with “Ne”/Gramma, especially her legendary heart-shaped waffles and Tang. She always had treats and coffee ready for friends who stopped by to visit. Family was the cornerstone of Bea’s world, and she deeply valued every friendship she made throughout her life.
Bea was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Thomas Bunce Sr.; and later, her second husband, Don Kerr.
She is survived by her children, Thomas Bunce Jr. (Terri), Guy Bunce (Wendy), and Claudia Bunce Dionne; her grandchildren, Adam Bunce (Tina), Lindsey Crane (Chris), Brooke Riva (Jared), William Bunce (Polina), Steven Bunce (Cortney), Mollikate Tanner (Richard) and J J McNulty; her great-grandchildren, Cooper and Annabelle, Christopher, Connor and Charlene, Elodie and Vallie, George and Mary, and Forrest and Cassie; and her brothers, Douglas Humes Jr. (Robyn) and Orville Humes (Elina).
A celebration of Bea’s life will be held on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the North Canaan VFW, 104 South Canaan Road, Canaan, CT.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Little Guild, 285 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike, West Cornwall, CT 06796.
Bea will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family and friends.
