Helen Cunningham

Helen Grace Cunningham, 102, of Charlevoix, passed away Monday, January 2, 2016, at Boulder Park Terrace Nursing Home in Charlevoix. She was born January 21, 1914, in Charlevoix to Timothy and Byrd (Sweet) Shores. Helen attended the Washington School at the corner of Burns Street and Petoskey Avenue, then Charlevoix Public School.

On June 11, 1932, she married Albert “Mick” Cunningham in Charlevoix, and they operated a dairy farm in the Barnard area. In addition to her duties at the farm Helen worked as a telephone operator for Michigan Bell Telephone for almost twenty years when the office was located above the Cherry Republic Store, (then Levinson's), that recently burned.

Helen loved to cook for her family and bake cakes for special occasions. She enjoyed quilting, and she was a 4-H leader. Most of all, she enjoyed being a mother and grandmother.

Helen's husband Mick preceded her in death on February 4, 1975. She is survived by her daughters, Beverly J. (John) Sladek, Janice C. (Dan) Farmer, and Sharon L. (Woody) Woodbury all of Charlevoix; grandchildren, Jim (Rose) Sladek, Barb (Paul) Mossner, Kathy Sladek, Jerry (Lisa) Sladek, Joe (Laural) Sladek, Dale Mathews, Cynthia (Joe) Mianulli, Geofrey Themm, Dwayne (Laura) Farmer, David Farmer, Darrin (Carol) Farmer; fifteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister, Patricia Haggerty of Charlevoix. Helen's daughter, Kay Themm; brothers, Joseph, Richard, and Timothy; and sisters, Betty Seese, and Katherine Ager preceded her in death.

Funeral will be 1pm, Friday, January 6, at the Winchester Funeral Home in Charlevoix where visitation will begin at 11am. The Reverend James Mort will officiate.

Burial will be in Barnard Cemetery in the spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to Boulder Park Terrace Nursing Home in Charlevoix.