Joan Marie Cunningham

Joan Marie Cunningham of Port Republic, Maryland, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2025, after a brave and dignified battle with cancer. She was 77 years old.
Born on October 29, 1947, Joan was a thoughtful, creative, and deeply loving woman whose quiet strength and dry wit left a lasting impression on all who knew her. She spent many years working alongside her husband, Michael, at Skater's Paradise where they built not just a business but a community.
Joan found joy in life's simple pleasures. She was an avid reader-especially on her Kindle-and had a deep appreciation for art. She was known for sharing cat videos she found on Instagram, always finding ways to laugh and connect even during the hardest of times. Her gentle spirit, curiosity, and sense of humor carried her through life with grace.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lt. Col. Eugene R. Wood Jr. and Mary Margaret Wood, as well as her brother, Eugene R. Wood III. She is survived by her beloved husband, Michael Cunningham; her son, Ryan Cunningham; and her brothers, Gerry Wood (Laurie) and Joel Wood Sr. (Linda); five nieces and one nephew. Joan's presence was a gift to her family, and her memory will continue to inspire and comfort them.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan's honor to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition or the American Chestnut Land Trust, two causes that reflect her resilience and love for the natural world.
Joan will be remembered not only for her kindness and quiet wisdom but for the love she shared so generously. Her absence leaves a space that cannot be filled, but her legacy lives on in the hearts of those she held dear.