Elizabeth M. "Betty" Bunce

ILION – Ms. Elizabeth Marion (Dow) Bunce, age 75, a longtime Ilion area resident, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 17, 2025, after a brief illness. Her passing occurred at Albany Medical Center with the love and devotion of her family at her side.

Born on October 4, 1949, in Peekskill, NY, Elizabeth was the daughter of the late William K. and Dorothy (Ryan) Dow. Her early childhood years were spent in Salisbury, Massachusetts and Seabrook, New Hampshire where she enjoyed life near the ocean. As a teenager, she relocated to Ilion and attended Ilion schools.

At one time, Betty shared in a marriage with Ronald Bunce, a relationship from which came their three daughters.

Betty worked for many years at General Electric as a solderer until her retirement. Subsequently she would help with her family’s business, Bunce Paving. In her free time, she enjoyed playing Bingo and trips to the casino and playing cards with just about anyone who knew the game of poker! She was a huge Beatles and Willie Nelson fan.

Her happiest times were those spent with her beloved family and she was the consummate mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her presence will be dearly missed but her legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Betty is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Veronica and Mike Coe of Deerfield, Victoria and Bill Brunette of Ilion and Vanessa and Randy Saunders of Herkimer; her grandchildren, Kailee Flike, Elizabeth Payne, Brandon Green (Hannah Rowan), Nicholas Winslow (Amaya Matys), Shelby Brunette (Ciero Wiater), Dustin Brunette, Austin Brunette, Amber Coe, Aidan Coe, Azel Saunders and Nya Saunders; along with her beloved great-grandchildren, Landry, Olivia, Savannah, Harper, Leila, Landon and Jaxson.

She also leaves behind her brother and sister-in-law, Lee and Linda Dow and her sister, Donna Capes; her in-laws, Sharon and Joe Rolchigo and Dorothy Bunce; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, in-laws and extended family.

Aside from her parents, Betty was predeceased by her in-laws, Helen and Mort Edwards, Shirley and Al Sanders, Curtis Bunce, Richard and June Bunce, Fred and Donna Sterling and Sandy Combs.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend calling hours for Betty on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 4:00PM – 6:00PM at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. Betty’s funeral service will commence on Thursday evening at 6:00PM at the funeral home, immediately upon the conclusion of visitation.

In lieu of flowers, for those wishing to do so, please consider a donation in Betty’s memory to a charity of your choice.

Final arrangements have been entrusted to the Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate funeral directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com .