06/17/2026
Barbara āBeeGeeā Bunch (Sproul)
January 27, 1957 ā June 12, 2026
Barbara āBeeGeeā Bunch (Sproul) passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026, under hospice care at the age of 69. A woman of resilience, vibrant spirit, and fierce loyalty, she leaves behind a legacy of adventure and a cherished "family by choice."
BeeGee was born in Oakland, California, on January 27, 1957, and raised in Marin County, where she discovered a lifelong passion for horses at an early age. It was at a local stable where she formed an enduring bond with a childhood friend and neighbor. That friendship was so strong that at the age of 17, BeeGee followed her to the Graeagle area, beginning a lifelong love affair with the mountains and backcountry life.
From childhood, BeeGee faced immense physical hurdles. Born with scoliosis, she endured numerous highly invasive surgeries during the late 1960s and early 1970s, navigating an era of limited medical technology. Though managing chronic pain was a constant background note to her daily life, she absolutely refused to let it define her. Instead, she chose a life defined by s***k, attitude, and an unyielding zest for adventure.
Throughout her journey, BeeGee had a gift for building community and gathering a chosen family wherever she went. Over the decades, she threw herself into diverse endeavors: leading guided horseback rides, acting as a pit crew member for grueling Ride and Tie races, navigating as a hot air balloon chase team member, and working as a passionate parrot breeder. As a successful breeder of several parrot varieties, she leaves a significant legacy in aviculture. She was a dedicated, long-time board member and local club pillar, proudly serving for many years as the delegate for the Reno Area Avian Enthusiasts (RAAVE) at the American Federation of Aviculture (AFA) conferences.
Even when tragedy struck and she lost everything in a devastating house fire at her beloved "ranch" near Plumas Eureka, BeeGeeās resilience never wavered. She rebuilt her life with the same independence that defined her. Along the way, she was blessed to experience three true loves across the chapters of her lifeāJon, Robert, and Tomāeach sharing in in different ways in her journey.
An animal lover, BeeGee was rarely seen without her pack of canine companions. Her home was a true sanctuary for dogs of every shape, size, and dispositionāfrom a deaf Dalmatian to tiny Chihuahua crosses. Most legendary of all was her massive, 200+ pound Bullmastiff āFrodoā, a gentle giant who perfectly matched her larger-than-life heart.
BeeGee was never afraid to speak her mind, and no battle was too great for her to take on if it meant standing up for someone she loved. She took the hand she was dealt and turned it into a masterclass in strength, loyalty, and laughter. She will be deeply missed by her friends, loved ones, and all who were lucky enough to be counted among her chosen family.
