Beatrice Bell Schumer

Beatrice Schumer, 97, passed away peacefully on May 16 , 2023 in Lexington, Kentucky after a brief illness.  She was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1925 and was a child prodigy classical pianist. She had her solo concert debut on the radio at the age of 12.  Beatrice attended the U.S.C. School of Music in Los Angeles, CA during World War II and while there met her future husband, Gerald Schumer, on a blind date.  The pair conducted a long- distance romance while Gerald was in the Air Force in the European theater.  During that time Beatrice furthered her piano studies in New York with a colleague of Rachmaninoff’s.  She and Gerald married in 1946, settling in Los Angeles where they raised their two children, Barry and Julie.  During this time Beatrice was a piano teacher and accompanist for various choral groups as well as a participant in several chamber music groups.  She and her husband relocated to Lexington, KY in 2003 to be closer to family. There she spent several years supporting Central Kentucky musicians.  Beatrice has elected to donate her baby grand piano to the UK School of Music. 

Beatrice was a warrior mother who instilled in her children and grandchildren the belief that they could be anything they wanted to be.  She was a fashionista, a fabulous cook and baker and loved nothing more than creating an elegant home.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Dorothy Bell, her first grandchild, Regan, and her husband, Gerald.  She is survived by her two sisters, Elaine Tenenbaum of Chicago, Illinois, Sandra Morgan of Northridge, California, her children, Dr. Barry Schumer of Lexington, KY and Julie Schumer of Santa Fe, NM, her in law children, Jeannie Schumer and James Koskinas, her grandchildren, Graham (Jessica), Emilee (Clayton), Michael, Jeremy (Violeta) and Ryan She also leaves six great grandchildren, Maya, Clark, Theo, Madison, Julian and Gabe as well as her loving caregiver of the past 5 years, Anne Sawyer of Lexington who helped make her declining years happy ones. 

Visitation will be held at Milward’s Funeral Home at 391 Southland Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40503 on May 19, 2023 from 5 to 7 p.m.  Funeral services will be private.