Obituary of Linda L. Cunningham

Linda (Howser) Cunningham, 76, passed away peacefully at home in Syracuse, NY on April 30, 2019. Linda was born on May 30, 1942 in Syracuse, NY. She was  predeceased by her parents, Leon and Ruth Howser, of Skaneateles, NY, as well as her brother, James “Jim” Howser, of Syracuse, NY.

Linda was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her door was always open to her loved ones, and you could talk with her about anything. She was the matriarch  and the “glue” that held her family together. She brightened every room with her smile.

An avid world traveler, Linda enjoyed her trips with her beloved husband to Hawaii, Germany, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Paris, and Alaska, and later to Gore Mountain and Letchworth State Park with her children. Linda loved to craft, bake, and garden and was happiest when she was working away on a project with her children and grandchildren, or up to her elbows in sawdust and construction debris. As a self-taught seamstress, there was nothing she could not make or mend.

Linda is survived by her loving husband, Richard “Dick” Cunningham. The selfless devotion Dick demonstrated was a living example of his vows that he honored to his wife every day of their nearly 60 years together. Linda was a dedicated stay at home mom, who will be missed dearly by her son R.J. (Kelly) of Skaneateles, NY, daughter, Christine Theberge (Gilles) of Camillus, NY, son David (Jelinek), of Baldwinsville, NY, and eight grandchildren; Thomas, Justin, John- Paul, Timothy, Allison, Logan, Eva, and Jimmy, and her first great grandchild, Paxton Ash. 

The family would like to offer their heartfelt gratitude to Linda’s dedicated personal caregivers; Kathy Burlin, Brenda Fleming, Kim Luchsinger Devereaux, Kim Griffen, Lori Gould,and Lilian Costello as well as to the staff of the St. Camillus Community Day Rehabilitation Program.

Services: 11 am Friday May 3, at the Church of St. Michael and St. Peter where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. The Rite of Committal and Burial will follow at Onondaga Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Calling hours will be prior to the service, 9 am to 10:45 am Friday at the church, 4782 W Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Centers at Saint Camillus Community Day Rehabilitation Program, 813 Fay Rd, Syracuse, NY 13219.