Ollie M. Cunningham

Ollie Mae Cunningham, 71, of Shannondale, passed away peacefully into the arms of our Lord Saturday evening, August 3, 2024 at her home after a short decline following a lengthy illness. She was born August 8, 1952 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to the late Cecil and Kathryn Diehl Irwin. Ollie Mae was a 1970 graduate of Hanover High School in Pennsylvania and attended Clarion State College. While in Clarion, she met her future husband, Charley, and together they traveled the country until they finally settled on the family farm in Shannondale. They were married on August 19, 1978 and began a family, bringing 2 children into the world: Mary Elizabeth and Carl M. Cunningham. Ollie Mae adored her grandchildren, RaeLeigh Nichole and Carly Grace Cunningham. She was a kind, loving, and creative soul with a quiet, wry sense of humor who sought beauty in the natural world. Ollie spent many hours tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, canning and freezing the produce, and caring for various farm animals throughout the years. After raising their children to school age, Ollie became employed at Farmer Smith’s Greenhouse & Country Store in Brookville where she spent many years as the resident expert, especially in fulfilling churches’ flower orders during the holidays. She also worked at C&A Trees in Clarion and Kemmer’s Greenhouse in Shannondale. An active member at Zion Lutheran Church in Shannondale, Ollie shared her faith by teaching Sunday School and VBS classes as well as playing in the bell choir and serving on the church council. Ollie Mae is survived by her devoted husband, Charles M. Cunningham, her daughter, Mary (Chuck) Morris, and her granddaughters, RaeLeigh and Carly. She is also survived by her brothers, Howard (Susie) Irwin and James (Susan) Irwin, a brother-in-law, Charles Holbrook, a sister-in-law, Marty Cunningham McCleary, and many, many loving family members and wonderful friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Carl M. Cunningham, a sister, Jane Irwin Holbrook, and a brother-in-law, Keith McCleary. The Robert V. Burns Funeral Home in Clarion is handling the arrangements. Family and friends will be received from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church in Shannondale, 3117 Pine Run Road, Mayport, PA 16240, where a memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. with Vicar Jane Miller, presiding. Inurnment will take place in the Clarion Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Ollie’s honor to Zion Lutheran Church in Shannondale.

Ollie M. Cunningham

August 8, 1952 - August 3, 2024