Bea Canfield brought Erie into the living rooms of people throughout the tri-state area through her daily local television show on WICU-TV 12.

Her first show aired in 1966 and her farewell episode appeared in 1981. In addition to giving many Erie Countians their only opportunity to appear on television, she attempted to foster understanding among the peoples and culture of her adopted town.

Bea gave blood "on air" in the hopes of encouraging others to support the Community Blood Bank. She talked openly about any number of subjects, covering topics from medical conditions, such as colon cancer, to the human condition. She hosted folks from all walks of life: the ladies who sponsored church card parties, Muriel Humphrey, Betty Kennedy, the Miss Erie County contestants and David Matthews. Through the magic of television, she introduced her viewers to local theater, the Second Harvest Food Bank, the City Mission and the Erie Art Museum. She touted high school choral concerts, new technology at the local hospitals and efforts to improve the community, all with the grace and aplomb that was uniquely Bea Canfield.

Bea also gave freely of her time. She served on the board of the former Doctors Osteopathic Hospital and was always available to judge a pageant, cut a ribbon or lend her face to a worthy cause. She walked for breast cancer, appeared in several Erie Playhouse Productions, shared her home with orphans from the Bethesda Home in Meadville and volunteered as a celebrity auctioneer for WQLN.

Bea Canfield was a true "Erie cheerleader." She brought the best of the city to her comfortable, homey set at WICU in order to share it with daytime television viewers. With local television reduced these days to news, Bea offered the community an opportunity to touch and help people who would otherwise be unreachable.

I ask that you consider her for induction in the Erie Hall of Fame.

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