Edythe-Mae "Barbara" Cunningham

1927 - 2025

Edythe-Mae "Barbara" Cunningham

November 22, 1927 - May 15, 2025

Bellingham, Washington - Edythe-Mae "Barbara" Cunningham, age 97, of Bellingham, Wash., passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, at Highland nursing home. Barbara was born November 22, 1927, in Seattle, Wash., to Patrick and Patricia (McDermot) Cunningham. The eldest of four children, she attended Bellingham Campus School through the eighth grade at what is now Western Washington University. She graduated high school in 1945 from St. Mary's Academy, a Catholic boarding school for girls in Winlock, Wash., where she was student body president and salutatorian of her class.

Barbara's first job out of high school was at Pacific American Fisheries in Bellingham, where she worked in the invoice division from 1945 to 1949. She earned a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in history at Northwestern University and became a prominent member of the Epsilon Eta Phi sorority. She served in numerous official roles with the Epsies, and she went on to become president of the Professional Panhellenic Association, the Chicago area chapter. Barbara's ambitious leadership pursuits earned her recognition in "Who's Who of American Women." She later moved to San Diego to attend Western Sierra Law School where she earned her J.D. at the age of 55.

Barbara remained a working professional far beyond retirement age, and she was an avid joiner and volunteer throughout her life. She will be remembered for her quick wit, her desire for continuous self-improvement, and her lifelong devotion to the Catholic Church.

Barbara is survived by her sister, Marilyn Cunningham of Bellingham, and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Patrick and Dermot Cunningham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 3, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (1110 14th Street, Bellingham), with a committal following at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale.

Donations in her memory may be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation.

Please share memories at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.