PATRICIA CUNNINGHAM

Patricia C. Cunningham 6/17/1929 - 1/11/2011 Patricia Colene Cunningham, 81 years old, passed away January 11, 2011 at Hospice of Arizona in Sun City West. Pat was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, where she was an active member of the First Christian Church, just as her parents, George R. and Opal L. Fish, had been before her. Pat and her first husband John R. Hayes owned and operated the John Roberts Photography studio in Des Moines. She oversaw the studio's business development, accounting, and customer service. In 1980, Pat married her second husband, Paul L. Cunningham. They lived in Oregon, Washington, and finally in the Phoenix area. Everywhere she lived, Pat developed close friends with whom she maintained lifelong friendships. Pat was also employed over the years by Younkers Department Store, Merie Norman Cosmetics, Bankers Life Insurance, and the Des Moines Water Works Plant. As such, she acquired a diverse set of skills. She was a self-taught pianist, a skilled cosmetician, a capable secretary, and a talented photographic retoucher. Above all, Pat was the quintessential Mid-Western homemaker. She provided many wonderful memories for her family and friends. Special among them were her blue-ribbon quality pies and cookies, her enthusiastic after-school spectator smiles, and an abundance of hand-made household items and gifts she shared with us all. Perhaps most notable, her family and friends will certainly long remember her passionate renditions of the song "More", which Pat seldom missed an opportunity to play at family gatherings. Pat is survived by her husband Paul Cunningham, Sun City West, AZ; her three children, Wendy L. Smith, Waddell, AZ, Scott D. Hayes, Salem, OR, and John P. Hayes, Lakewood, CA; her three grandchildren, Gretchen C. Beard, Surprise, AZ, Kirsten L. Muetzel, San Francisco, CA, and Tanner J. Hayes, Boulder, CO; and her three great-grandchildren, Jilissa C. Swearingen, Jordan L. Beard, and Jillian C. Beard, all of Surprise, AZ. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Arizona, the American Cancer Society, or to another charity of one's choice in Pat's memory. At Pat's request, no memorial service was held.