Lillian Cunningham Obituary

Lillian D. Cunningham

Born: May 5, 1927

Died: September 24, 2018

Lillian DeSitter Cunningham, of La Grange and Northbrook, Illinois, passed peacefully on September 24.

Lillian was born in Chicago on May 5, 1927 to Louis and Elvire DeSitter. She was the wife of the late Thomas P. Cunningham; devoted mother to Nancy (Edward) Mello, Thomas J., Mark (Elizabeth), John (Jill) and the late Susan M. Cunningham; loving grandmother to Melanie, Alex and the late Christopher Wilcox, Claire, Luke, Quinn, Kevin, Juliann, Ellyn and the late Katherine Cunningham; and caring younger sister to the late Muriel Courtney and Louis DeSitter. Lillian is survived by her brother-in-law, David F. Cunningham of Lake Oswego, Oregon and sixteen nieces and nephews.

Lillian had fond memories and formed many lifelong friendships from her high school and college years spent at Longwood Academy (Class of 1944) and Rosary College (Class of 1948) where she earned a B.A. in Economics. After graduating, she obtained a teacher's certificate and went on to teach elementary school at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic School in La Grange. She and her husband, Tom, raised their five children in La Grange which the family calls home.

Lillian's family, dear friends and community were at the center of her life. Before enduring the difficult effects of a stroke in her mid-70s, Lillian was an involved parent and grandma who spent quality time with her children and grandchildren. She would gladly offer of herself whether it was playing games with her grandchildren, preparing a delicious meal or helping with homework. When her children were in elementary school, she served as a Room Mother and Teacher's Assistant in the Art Program.

She also served as President of the Nazareth Academy Mother's Club. She was very involved within the church community serving as a Minister of Holy Communion for the elderly and a leader of the Prayer Program. Lillian loved to entertain, travel with her husband and read for pleasure - she read the Harry Potter series so she could keep up with her grandchildren.

She was proud of her Belgian heritage and made an effort to maintain her relationships with her close friends in Belgium. Lillian was an avid bridge player for many years and she exhibited her competitive spirit when playing a favorite game - Scrabble. She was soft spoken, kind natured, a woman of her word and true to her faith.

Visitation 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Friday (October 5) at St. Francis Xavier Church followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Songs by Heart Foundation, an organization devoted to connecting people with memory loss to the language and joy of music, are appreciated. Songs by Heart Foundation, c/o Eric Fox, Treasurer, 1700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006-4723. Please note donations "in memory of Lillian Cunningham".

Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside. Info: 708-352-6500 or hjfunerals.com