Joan Bugni

Joan “Nanny” Bugni passed away peacefully on February 7th, 2026 surrounded by the love of her family.

Joan was born on September 22, 1940, in Binghamton, New York to Arthur and Evelyn Ireson. As a baby, she moved to Bakersfield, where she would spend the rest of her life. When she was just two years old, Joan’s father passed away, and she was lovingly raised by her mother alongside her two older brothers, James and William (Wes) Ireson.

Joan attended Emerson Junior High School and Bakersfield High School. It was in Bakersfield that she met the love of her life, Jimmy Bugni. The two married in 1959, beginning a partnership that would span decades and serve as the foundation of a beautiful family. Not long after they married they became loving and devoted parents to daughter, Jill and son, Jefre.

Joan began her working years at the Panama School cafeteria, serving others with the same care she gave her own family. In 1969, she and Jimmy began a new chapter together, opening Bugni Bros Hardware and Feed. For 34 years, they worked side by side operating the store, building not only a successful business but lasting relationships within the community. In later years, they were especially proud to have their grandchildren, Hunter and Mallory, working alongside them. During that time, they were also blessed with two more grandchildren, Jefre and Janae. Over the years, their family circle grew even larger with the addition of three bonus grandchildren—Jarrett, Ryan, and Savannah—each one Joan loved as her own.

To her family, she was the heart of every season. Joan found joy in tending her yard, carefully planting annuals and delighting in the first blooms of spring. One of her most cherished traditions was planting and decorating Easter grass. Friends and family were always blessed with a special Easter grass pot to enjoy—each one thoughtfully prepared and given with love.

For many years, Thursdays were sacred—reserved for lunch and shopping with her dear friend, Margaret Schulte. Those afternoons were filled with conversation, laughter, and the kind of friendship that stands the test of time.

Her greatest pride and deepest joy, however, was her growing family. A proud great-grandmother to Sienna, Jimmy, Wyatt, Sloan, and Bear. Joan treasured every hug, every milestone, every moment. Her favorite people called her “Nanny,” and there was no title she held more dearly.

The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to special caregiver Veronica Landeros, whom Joan cherished as another granddaughter, and to more recent additions, Marlene, Liz, and Sylvia, for the kindness, compassion, and tenderness they showed to our Nanny.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Jimmy Bugni and brother James Ireson. She is survived by her brother, William Ireson; her daughter, Jill (Kyle) Buntley; her son, Jefre (Janel) Bugni; and her son-in-law, Kevin Haley; her grandchildren: Hunter (Justina) Haley; Mallory (Kevin) Secky; Jefre Bugni; Janae Bugni; Jarrett Buntley; Ryan Buntley; and Savannah (Brent) Hill; and her great-grandchildren, Sienna, Jimmy, Wyatt, Sloan, and Bear. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m at Doughty Calhoun O”Meara Funeral Home. On Thursday, Feb. 26, Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m., Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Graveside services will follow at Greenlawn Southwest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Building Fund, 12300 Reina Road, Bakersfield, CA, or to The Mission at Kern County, 821 E. 21st Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305.

Joan will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and loyal friend. Her life was rooted in family, faith, and the simple joys of tradition. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who were blessed to know her.