Kristin Leigh Cunningham

PINCKNEYVILLE - Kristin Leigh Cunningham, 29, passed away Monday, March 17, 2008, after a valiant battle with leukemia for the past three years. She was surrounded by family and friends at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis at the time of her passing.

Kristin was born Oct. 16, 1978, in Du Quoin, a cherished daughter of Ted and Cathy (Taylor) Cunningham and sister of Julie Wilder, all of Pinckneyville.

Kristin was a 1996 graduate and valedictorian of Pinckneyville Community High School. She graduated in 2000 from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in advertising. Kristin was an enthusiastic French horn player in the Marching Illini and Symphony. Her travels with the band took her to Ireland to march in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin in 1998. Kristin's love for music continued at the University of Texas, where she received a master's degree in music performance in 2005. She performed with the University of Texas Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2005. The day that Kristin was to graduate, she became ill with leukemia. Her degree and hood were conferred in the hospital.

Survivors include her parents; a sister and brother-in-law, Julie and Donnie Wilder of Pinckneyville; three aunts and an uncle, Eleanor Cunningham of Pinckneyville, Carol Heisner of Pinckneyville and Linda and Jerald Sims of Harrisburg; one uncle, Rex Steele of Hanford, Calif.; and numerous cousins and friends.

A memorial celebration will be held to honor Kristin at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 22, 2008, in United Methodist Church in Pinckneyville, where Kristin was a member. The Rev. Jim Barnett will officiate. A reception to celebrate her life will be in the fellowship hall.

At Kristin's request, donations may be made to the Kristin Cunningham Benefit Fund. The money will be distributed by her family to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, caringbridge.org website, which so many people have read, responded and followed and the Kristin Cunningham Music Scholarship Fund. Donations may be made at Murphy Wall State Bank in Pinckneyville or at the funeral home.

Throughout her life, Kristin had been a very unique and special lady who has touched the lives of all who knew her. She will leave behind a legacy of love, hope and courage to her family and so many friends. Our lives are changed forever.

For more information or to sign an online guest register, visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.