Search by Name

Search by Name

Betty Cunneen Obituary

Betty Joy Cunneen, née Wilson 1933-2012 Passed away peacefully with beloved family members present on Sunday evening March 25, 2012 at the age of 78 in Santa Rosa CA. after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Born Betty Joy Wilson in Mack, CO. October 3rd 1933 and raised as a child in the teeny Nevada mining community of Tungsten where she had to study by kerosene lantern. Her large family then relocated to her beloved Sparks, NV. and graduated from Sparks High. Betty was always a warm caring soul born to become a nurse. She became a Registered Nurse upon graduating from Sacramento State. After graduating, she and her girlfriend were going to tour the world while nursing. First stop was Kapiolani Maternity Hospital in 1956 which at that time was in the Territory of Hawaii on the island of Oahu.That was as far as they got for they both met their future husbands. Betty and husband Patrick had a wonderful family with four children Connie, Kelly, Patrick and Garrett. The family grew up with happy memories in the Westlake district of Daly City California. There she developed her great passion for running with the DSE and later helped found the Pamakid Running Club and became the club's first President. The Pamakid Running Club continues strong to this day. Betty worked for many years at Children's Hospital in San Francisco where she found her niche in the Maternity Ward. Betty was predeceased by her mother, Bertha Nevin; stepfather, C.A. "Red" Nevin; sister, Dorothy Hendricks; brother, William Duncan. She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Patrick Cunneen; her four children, Connie (Robin), Kelly, Patrick (Jen), Garrett (Jeff); four grandchildren, Rachel, Christopher, Colin and Sean; sisters, Winnie Abel, Juanita Givani, Bertha Polydoros; brother Fred Hale, and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Idaho Care Home,3439 Idaho Dr. Santa Rosa CA, 95405 where she spent her final month in comfort with a wonderful caring staff and or do a good deed in Betty's memory. A small intimate family gathering was held to celebrate Betty's life.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Mar. 30 to Apr. 1, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Betty Cunneen

Not sure what to say?





Lorraine "Lori" Cheli

March 26, 2024

Difficult to believe it has been 12 years since you have been gone. Happy you and Pat joined us here at the Orchard Retirement Community when you moved out of the city. Remembering all our fun adventures since meeting in 1959. Miss you very much, dear friend, but know you and Patrick are enjoying heavenly peace. Until we meet again, Lori Cheli

Ed Addis

March 26, 2020

Pat, I am so sorry for your family's loss. What a sweet person she was. God bless her, you and the kids.

Ernie Givani

April 16, 2012

We will miss Betty VERY, VERY much! She was a wonderful person whom we spent many happy times with.God Bless your family. Our prayers are with all of you. The GIVANI FAMILY

Pauline & Bill Dake

April 9, 2012

We will miss you Betty as you were the best, always loving and nurturing to your family and treating the rest of us like family. Pa-Ma-Kid means Family and you will always be remembered as the Mother of our Pamakid Family. May we always continue on the path to better health that you blazed for us. Catholics believe all good people who go to Heaven are Saints. St. Betty, patron saint of Pamakid Runners pray for us.

Ann Harrington

April 4, 2012

Betty was a warm, kind person and I admired her love for her family and zest for life.

April 4, 2012

We go back a looong way. Betty always had a smiling face and warm welcome. She was 'The Rites of Spring'. Gone too soon! Wally and Liese Rapozo

John Williston

April 3, 2012

We have lost a wonderful friend and long-time member of the Pamakid community. As a Founding Pamakid who served our club so faithfully and enthusiastically she deserves our deepest gratitude. To Pat and family, we offer our sincere and heartfelt sympathy.

Henni and John Williston

Janet Nissenson

April 3, 2012

We are deeply sorry for your loss, and please know that we are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Betty was a great lady and it was our privilege to know her.

Janet & Steve Nissenson

April 2, 2012

Pat,

I remember sitting with Betty in the day room, enjoying the lovely view with the sun streaming in the windows. She was so happy and content with her life, and it was because of you.

love,

Judy I.

April 1, 2012

Thanks you Betty for all your contributions to the running community. Our deepest sympathies to your family.

love,

Ken and Diane

William Galvin

April 1, 2012

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Mike McAuliffe

April 1, 2012

She will be in our prayers. Mike and Ellen McAuliffe. So sorry Pat!

April 1, 2012

Our condolences.
Mo and Lolly Sciaroni

In honor of the Pamakids' 40th anniversary.

George Rehmet

April 1, 2012

Betty, you will be missed. I will always appreciate your smiles and the warmth you shown me each time we met. Thank you for all you done for the sport of running.

March 31, 2012

May you rest in peace, dear Betty. From the time I met you in 1959 until now we have always been such close friends. I will never forget all the fun we had while our children were little...or we thought it was fun. Love you very much and my love to all of your family. All of you are in my prayers. Much love, Lorraine aka Lori.

Rick Hardina

March 31, 2012

Pat & Cunneen Family: So very sorry to hear of the passing of Betty. As a past Bay Area runner and member of Pamakids, I find that I cannot think of Betty without visualizing her trademark: a great BIG smile! She was truly a treasure! May your many, many fond memories of Betty see you through this difficult time.
Rick Hardina
Gold Canyon, Arizona

Kathy Bailey

March 31, 2012

Betty with Pat shared their wonderful life with us at the South End...both of them a joy to be with.

March 31, 2012

A lovelier woman never took breath! I am truly sorry for your loss, Pat and Kelly. Love, Lee Bender, Southender

The Pamakid Runners Club

Phyllis Nabhan

March 31, 2012

The Pamakid Runners Club thrives today because of Betty Cunneen, the first president and one of the founders. Thank you Betty for the years of Love that you gave to the club. Thank you for all of the Pamakid traditions. Thank you for the joy you brought into all of our lives. We will never forget you.

Love,

Phyllis Nabhan
Pamakid Runners Social Chair

Carol and Jimmy Bender

March 31, 2012

We so so lucky to call this wonderful woman "Aunt Betty". We will miss her and hold her in our hearts forever. Much love to Uncle Pat, Connie, Kelly, Patrick, Garrett and their families.

Ed Addis

March 31, 2012

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. God bless Betty and her family. I always thought Pat the coolest wife a man could have...

March 31, 2012

We'll miss you, Betty. All my condolence to the Cunneen family. Stay strong Pat & family! Take care.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwQobBHl-3E

--AL

March 30, 2012

Thank you for being you, Betty. The Pamakid Runners thank you and will never forget you.
Love,
Andy and Malinda

Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results

Make a Donation
in Betty Cunneen's name

Memorial Events
for Betty Cunneen

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Betty's loved ones
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Poems of Mourning and Comfort

The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief

Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
Ways to honor Betty Cunneen's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more