Obituary: Cunningham, Linda Geraldine
CUNNINGHAM,
Linda
Geraldine
(Peak)
Passed away in Spokane, WA on June 4th.
She was 63.
She inspired many with her fierce but uncomplaining struggle against kidney cancer.
Linda was born in Gonzales, Texas, to Floyd and Maxine Peak-“the third of four daughters.
Growing up she also lived in Virginia, New Orleans, and Vivian, Louisiana.
In 1963 she moved to Copperas Cove, Texas, where she met and then married her high school sweetheart Michael Cunningham.
Michael and Linda lived in Waco, Texas, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Temple, Texas before moving to Spokane.
Linda had an adventurous spirit.
She took family trips by car throughout almost every state.
She traveled to Hong Kong, Portugal, and Italy with her friends in investment club, and she had several European adventures with friends and family.
Linda enjoyed waterskiing, downhill and cross-country skiing, reading, shopping, playing cribbage, and rooting for the Zags.
Linda devoted much of her life to caring for others.
She was mother of three and “Nana” of five.
She was a seamstress, excellent cook, and generous gift-giver.
She volunteered with the Spokane Junior League for many years, and participated in eye surgery projects with Michael in Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Ghana, Mexico, and Bangladesh.
Linda contributed to cancer research in the last years of her life by enrolling in several clinical trials.
Linda grew up in the Baptist church, and later became an active member of Whitworth and then First Presbyterian Church.
She was a person of strong faith and received much joy and comfort from her TLC bible study group.
In 1983 Linda earned a degree in Business Finance from Eastern Washington University and received the Mary Shields Wilson award for academic excellence.
She worked for many years as the Office Administrator for Inland Eye Center, an ophthalmology practice started with Michael in 1982.
She was a member of the board of trustees of Whitworth University.
Linda’s greatest joy was spending time with her family at their cabin on Priest Lake.
Linda is survived by her husband Michael, with whom she celebrated her 44th wedding anniversary on May 30th.
She is also survived by her oldest son Mick and his children Kate (14) and Lucas (11) of Bellingham, her son Mark and his daughter Claire (6) of Seattle, and her daughter Amanda Boyum, son-in-law Jon, and their children Nate (7) and Hannah (5) of Spokane.
She is also survived by her mother Maxine; sisters Darlene (Chris), Barbara, and Natalie; sisters-in-law Joan Manning (Jay), Shari Rogers (Tom), and their families.
Linda lived with zest, strength, and determination until her very last days.
She will be dearly missed.
A visitation will be held at Heritage Funeral Home on Saturday, June 9th from 11am to 6pm and Monday, June 11th from 8am to 9am.
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 1:30 on Sunday, June 10th.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Action to Cure Kidney Cancer, 150 W. 75th St. Suite 4, New York, NY 10023 or the Lilac Blind Foundation, 1212 N. Howard, Spokane, WA 99201.