Lydia Bea "Bea" Gunn

Lydia "Bea" Gunn, 84, of Paso Robles, passed away on January 5, 2016. She was born May 1931 in Panama City, Panama, to Basilia and Ramon Reyes of Puerto Rico. Raised during the depression in a family of eight children, Bea thrived under the instruction of caring teachers in the U.S. controlled portion of Panama known as the Canal Zone. Facing prejudicial odds based on her Puerto Rican heritage and the family's financial status, she was able to help support her family while completing her education. In 1955, she married her husband of 60 years, Kenneth, and relocated to the United States. Bea's dream of becoming a Physical Education Teacher took a back seat to raising her four children, Terri, Lorri, Michael, and Sheila. After working as a secretary for several private employers, she finished up her career as an Executive Secretary with the California Youth Authority, an assignment which spanned nearly 25 years. To satisfy her need to be involved in the sports field, she became an institution as a softball coach starting with nearly twenty years in the Paso Robles Recreational league. Beginning in 1985, she partially fulfilled her dreams when she became a high school softball coach. She loved her "girls" and never forgot their impact on her life. She was a devoted Bearcat Booster, selling 50/50 tickets at football games for over 30 years. Upon her retirement from the Youth Authority, she volunteered at Twin Cities Hospital. Bea was a dedicated, tireless, and loving family member, friend, coach, mentor, booster, volunteer and co-worker. Bea is preceded in death by her parents; her infant son, David; her brothers: Ramon, Victor, Rafael, Tomas and sister, Dolores. She is survived by her immediate family and her sisters, Judith Van Horn and Nira Johnson, as well as six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous loving nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday, January 17, 2016, at 2:00pm at the Paso Robles High School gymnasium with a reception immediately following. Bearcat attire is encouraged. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be forwarded to the PRHS Boosters, P.O. Box 7010, Paso Robles, Calif., 93447. Arrangements under the direction of Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home, Paso Robles, CA.