DENVER, Colo. – Candace Gail (Brann) Bean, known lovingly as Candy, passed away on April 7, 2026, in Denver, Colorado, after a courageous battle with end stage kidney failure. She was 76 years old.

Born on July 16, 1949, in Portland, Maine, Candy was the daughter of Durell B. Brann and Betty B. Brann, and a twin to her brother Jeffrey. She grew up surrounded by family and adventure, becoming active in the Girl Scouts, which took her to New York City, Washington, D.C., and the World’s Fair in Montreal. She graduated from Portland High School in 1967 and went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education with distinction from the University of Maine in 1971. She began her teaching career in the third

grade classroom in Mechanic Falls, Maine.

On August 15, 1970, Candy wed Robert D. Bean at Steven’s Avenue Congregational Church in Portland, marking the beginning of more than 55 years of devoted marriage.

Together they built a life centered on family, raising their two children, Rob and Liz, in Falmouth, Maine. In addition to being an exceptional and devoted mother, Candy worked as a substitute teacher, bank teller, bookkeeper, and title researcher over the years.

Candy was humble, calm, and unfailingly generous with her time, creativity, and love. She laughed easily and listened carefully. She was incredibly strong and stoic in the face of challenge and loss, carrying her family through even the most difficult seasons with grace.

Her family was her greatest joy, and she delighted in hosting holidays and gatherings, often alongside her beloved mother Betty. She believed no holiday was complete without at least three types of homemade pie! She kept beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, canning and pickling the harvest each season. She filled scrapbooks with memories, knitted hats and mittens allowing her family to surround themselves in her warmth, was an avid reader, and was always up for travel and adventure, both far and near.

After retiring, Candy split her time between Maine and Lakeland, Florida, to be near family.

She volunteered extensively, most recently with her local Maine library and the Maine Wildlife Park, where she was recognized as volunteer of the year in 2019.

Candy was preceded in death by her son, Robert R. Bean; her mother, Betty B. Brann; and her father, Durell B. Brann. She is survived by her devoted husband, Robert D. Bean; her daughter, Elizabeth B. Swenson; her brothers Gordon, Jeffrey, Christopher, and Durell A. Brann; a large extended family, and her grandsons, Wil (17) and Eli (12), who brought her immeasurable happiness. May she find peace and rest in God’s eternal care.

True to her spirit, Candy requested that her loved ones forgo a funeral service and instead gather to celebrate and remember her life and love. All who cared for Candy and her family are invited to join a celebration of her remarkable life at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at RiRa Irish Pub, located at 72 Commercial Street, Portland, ME 04101.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Maine Wildlife Park or to your local library. Donation checks to the Wildlife Park may be made out and mailed to Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park at PO Box 1231, Gray, ME 04039, or made online at https://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife-park/donate.