AMHERST – Constance Bunker (Connie), of Amherst, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2025, after a lengthy illness. Connie, 88, was born in Lewiston, Maine. After graduating from Edward Little Highschool in Auburn, ME, Connie attended nursing school, worked for the Bell Telephone Company, and joined a community theater in Portland, ME. There, she met her former husband, Richard Mason Bunker, as the two performed in the musical South Pacific.

Connie was the proud mother of three children and moved with them and her former husband to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and then to Amherst, Massachusetts. In addition to raising her children, Connie loved gardening, cooking, and traveling to Maine and Florida to spend time with her family. She was also an avid fan of the Red Sox and UMass basketball. Connie earned a Master’s of Education at the University of Massachusetts, where she served in various positions. After years of public service, Connie retired from her position as Business Manager in the Office of the Dean, in the School of Education at UMass. She was also particularly proud of her community service, including having served with the League of Women Voters of Amherst and volunteered to raise money for public television.

Connie is survived by: her three children, Peter Bunker of Egg Harbor, NJ, Shelly Paige and her husband (Thomas) of Sunderland, MA, and Renee Bunker of Portland, ME; her siblings, Nathaniel Crowley, Jr. (Julie), Michael Crowley (Joanne), Roger Crowley (Louise), Christopher Crowley (Paulette), Elanna Crowley Farnham, Timothy Crowley (Mary), Patrick Crowley (Cyndylee), Ronald Hachey, Diane Gilmour, and Wayne Hachey; her grandson, Nathaniel Paige of Sunderland, MA; numerous nieces and nephews; other extended family; and many enduring friends. Connie was predeceased by her parents, Nathaniel J. Crowley, Sr. and Esther Whitman Crowley, and three siblings, Kathy Crowley (Mrs. Gordon) Fuller, Anita (Mrs. Lloyd) Christie, and Richard Hachey.

A Celebration of Life will be held on April 4, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 121 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002. The family invites relatives, friends, and Connie’s former colleagues to attend the service in The Sanctuary and then to share conversation and refreshments in the Social Hall.

The family thanks the entire staff and leadership at The Arbors at Amherst who provided compassionate, professional, and loving care for Connie throughout her stay with The Arbors Family. Likewise, Connie’s family thanks the Beacon Hospice team that provided tremendous support for Connie and her daughters as they endeavored to find a peaceful passing for their mother. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to: Beacon Hospice, 815 Worcester St., Springfield, MA 01151.

Memorial guestbook for condolences to family can be found at https://douglassfuneral.com/