Betty Jane Cunningham

Betty Jane Phelps Cunningham Age, 98, formerly of Columbus and Springboro OH, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2019; wife of the late John F. Cunningham, Jr.; mother to Sue Coburn (Chris) and, preceded in death, son, Bruce Larson (Lynnda) and step-daughter, Kathy Clarkson; step-daughters, Ginny Cunningham, Sally Blackstad and Ann Petri; grandchildren, Sarah Nill (Jake), Katie Larson (Matt Hernandez), Elizabeth Larson (Nick Zinkgraf), Rob Coburn (Brittney); and great grandchildren, Bryce, Bodie, Colby, Emmy and Sloan. BJ was born on January 19, 1921 in Portland OR and grew up in Seattle WA where she graduated from Roosevelt High School and attended the University of Washington. She was an accomplished skier and part of the ski patrol at Mt. Rainer. Fortuitously, she met her future husband, Stan Larson, also a skier, at Paradise Lodge, a union which spawned many years of family skiing in later years. They were married in October 1942 and moved to Bremerton Naval Base during WWII where her husband was a navy officer and their son, Bruce, was born. They saved their rationed gasoline stamps to go to Mt. Rainer to ski on weekends. When WWII ended, they moved to the east coast for her husband to return to his pre-war job. Her daughter, Susie, was born in Long Branch NJ in 1946. They were transferred to Schenectady NY where the family hiked, camped and skied in the Adirondacks. In 1956 GE transferred them to Columbus OH where BJ attended and graduated from Ohio State University in 1960 at the age of 39 (MS in 1980's). She became a die hard OSU Buckeye football fan. BJ taught art for 25 years at Windermere Elementary in the suburb, Upper Arlington, where they lived. She achieved her private pilot license in August 1981. She flew from east coast to west coast and back in the United States and Canada with her second husband, Jack Cunningham. BJ was active as a docent and board member of the Columbus Museum of Art. She loved cooking, golfing, knitting and petit point into her nineties. BJ continued to be quick witted to the end. She endeared herself to all the staff and care givers at Amber Woods Senior Living, her last residence. As one member stated, "She was a classy lady." Memorial donations are suggested to Sharpsburg Community Library, 1212 Main St., Pittsburgh, PA 15215, memo: Maker's Monday. (An art program for the community children.)

Betty Jane Cunningham

January 19, 1921 - July 7, 2019