Norma Cunningham

Norma "Jean" (Fry) Cunningham passed peacefully on January 8, 2026 at the age of 100. She was born in Corydon, Iowa and was pre-deceased by her parents, Myrl and Ruth (McMurry) Fry, and her three siblings, Betty Jones, Don Fry, and Jo Wilson.

Jean knew she wanted to be a nurse at an early age. When she was in the 2nd grade, she was cast as a Red Cross nurse in a school play. From that time on, she knew nursing was her future. After Jean finished high school, she joined the Cadet Nurse Corps. She attended nursing school at Iowa Methodist Hospital, graduating in 1946.

After nursing school, Jean moved to Colorado Springs and worked in private practice. During this time, she met the love of her life, Wilmer "Carl" Cunningham, who pre-deceased her in 1985. They were married in 1950.

Carl was a mechanical engineer and they spent the first six years of their marriage moving about the country following construction jobs. Jean took a break from nursing when they welcomed their first child, Linda, followed by Madison, Marty, and Cathy in the years following. They moved to Tacoma WA in 1956 to put down roots. In support of her children, Jean became active in preschool, the PTA, Girl Scouts, and Campfire Girls.

Jean's service life branched out beyond her family in 1961, when she joined the Dr. McNerthney Orthopedic Guild (Tacoma Orthopedic Association, renamed Mary Bridge Brigade) which raised money to support Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. This became a lifelong passion for Jean as she was an active member until her passing.

Jean served in many roles during her Brigade tenure including serving on the board of directors for 18 years, becoming President of the Association from 1994-1996. She chaired the holiday wreath program and the Membership Committee. In 1994 she created the WIC Baby Shower to celebrate "Make a Difference Day". Following her tenure as President, Jean led the History Committee, documenting the history of every guild, and in 2010, Jean co-authored the book "The History of Tacoma Orthopedic Association". She joined her second guild in 2008, the Tapp Guild for Past Presidents.

Jean was honored to be awarded the first Mary Bridge Brigade Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 for her leadership and service in the organization. She was further honored in 1996 when a group of young women created a new guild and named it the "Jean Cunningham Guild".

Jean's nursing career resumed in 1967. She started working at Tacoma General Hospital in 1971, where her career spanned 18 years until retirement.

Jean enjoyed traveling, baking, and stitchery. But her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren (Ian Chouinard, Sigourney Jellins, Tennyson Jellins, Whittaker Jellins, Wil Cunningham, Ashley Reeves, James Reeves, and great grandson, Tevin Chouinard). She was so proud of all her grandchildren and was always interested in keeping up with their lives.

Jean is survived by her children Linda Cunningham (Daniel Brockman) of Gig Harbor, Madison Jellins of Half Moon Bay, CA, Marty Cunningham (Angie Kirschner) of Colville, WA, and Cathy Reeves (Michael Reeves) of Gig Harbor, her grandchildren and her great grandson.

Jean was a strong, independent woman throughout her life, dedicated to her family and the care of children in the community through her volunteer work. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

A memorial service will be held on January 29, 2026 at 10 a.m. in the Aspen Chapel at Mountain View Funeral Home at 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW in Tacoma. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mary Bridge Brigade in memory of Jean Cunningham. https://www.marybridgebrigade.org/memorial-or-honorary-commemoratives.