Barbara Stoddard Cunningham

March 5, 1920 – October 6, 2010

      Barbara Stoddard Cunningham, of Bainbridge Island, passed away October 6th from complications due to a fall and pneumonia.  She was born on March 5, 1920 in Cambridge, MA to Elizabeth and William Stoddard, the second of four children.  She spent her childhood growing up in Belmont, MA and spent many enjoyable summers at Camp Kiniya on Lake Champlain in Vermont.

      Barbara attended Smith College during World War II for two years. In 1942, she married Robert Cunningham and together they raised three children in Winchester, MA. While the children were in school, she fulfilled her dream of becoming a teacher and went back to college at Tufts University, graduating in 1965. Barbara had many wonderful years teaching elementary school in Lincoln, MA. After she retired, she worked as a volunteer for several years with the organization WAND – Women’s Action For Nuclear Disarmament.

      In 1987, she moved to Providence Point in Issaquah, WA where she formed many friendships, and was involved in a variety of activities and projects, including tutoring at the Literacy Council. She moved to Bainbridge Island in 1996, and was actively involved in caring for her two young granddaughters. Barbara also discovered the joys and challenges of gardening in the Northwest. She was an avid reader and wrote a memoir detailing her life growing up during the 1920’s and 30’s.

      For eleven years Barbara confronted the challenge of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with optimism and a positive attitude. Her family would like to extend their profound gratitude and thanks to Barbara’s oncologist, Dr Henry Otero at Virginia Mason Medical Center.

      She was preceded in death by her husband, sister, Elizabeth Jenkins, and two brothers, John and Bill Stoddard. She is survived by one son and two daughters and their spouses – Scott and Kim Cunningham of Hancock, N.H., Marjie Cunningham and Glenn Roberts of Seattle, and Ellen Cunningham Weaver and Richard Weaver of Bainbridge Island, as well as two granddaughters, Emma and Sophie Weaver.

      Barbara is also survived by her two sisters-in-law, as well as a large extended family. At her request, there will be no service. Remembrances may be made to Helpline House and the Bainbridge Public Library.

      Please sign the online Guest Book for the family at: www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.

TRIBUTE Paid Notice