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Agnes Matilda (Andrews) CUNNINGHAM

August 17, 2012

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CUNNINGHAM

Agnes Matilda (Andrews)

1926-2012

Agnes Matilda (Andrews) Cunningham was born to George and Matilda Andrews on Oct. 8, 1926 near Three Hills, Alberta. She grew up on the Andrews homestead in the Ghost Pine district with two brothers and three sisters. She attended Mt. Vernon School until moving into Three Hills to complete her high school. Following a year of teachers' training at the University of Alberta, Calgary campus, she taught for several years in the rural schools of Harrow and Fairmount near Trochu. It was while at Fairmount that she met a neighbourhood farm boy, Vernal Cunningham and they were married on Oct. 7, 1950 at the Andrews home. Settling in their new home on the Cunningham farm west of Trochu, Agnes and Vern raised a family of five boys and three girls. Life was focussed around the farm and Trochu community and schools. As the kids grew, Agnes and Vern followed them around the province to baseball games, hockey games, and community parades. Summer holidays took them around Alberta and BC in the family station wagon. As the kids left home to pursue further education and careers, Agnes and Vern set out to see more of the world. They traveled throughout Canada and to many destinations in the United States and to Mexico, often accompanied by family or good friends. Agnes became more involved in Trochu community organizations once her children were more independent. She was a member of the St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary, the Trochu Seniors' Drop In Centre, and the Trochu Flower, Baking and Photography Show committee. She helped create the first Trochu history book, Remember When and was a founding member of the Trochu Valley Historical Society. She spent many years on the executive at the Trochu and District Museum. She may be best known as a writer and photographer who shared the community news in various newspapers including the Community Voice, the Highway 21 News, and, until her passing, the Three Hills Capital. In 1994, Agnes and Vern moved into their Trochu home on Poplar Avenue as Tom and his family moved into the house on the farm. Agnes continued to tend her garden of flowers and vegetables and enjoyed being close to family, friends, and community activities. Grandchildren became a new source of joy for her. In recent years, the aging process slowed Agnes down, but she still treasured family events, visits with friends, community celebrations, and the Flames and Blue Jays on television. She was constantly observing and identifying the bird life in her back yard which she frequently reported in her weekly newspaper column. Agnes passed peacefully from this life on the morning of August 17, 2012. She leaves to carry on her legacy her husband of almost 62 years, Vernal, son Bill, daughter Brenda, son Tom (Kim and Lauren), daughter Nancy, son Wayne ( Rhonda, Coleman and Ryan), son Richard ( Melynda and Bridget), son Ken ( Laura Lee, Hannah, Connor and Max), and daughter Wendy. She is also survived by her sister Grace and Watson Reed, sisters-in-law Elizabeth Cunningham and Ruth Andrews, honorary son Mike Trent, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and their families. She was predeceased by her parents George and Matilda Andrews, her brothers Russell (Annie) and George, sisters Roxie May and Lela (Harry) Pedersen as well as brothers-in-law Ernie (Marg), Charlie (Vickie), Jim (Kathy), and Frank Cunningham and sister-in-law Eleanor (John) Dorosh. A celebration of Agnes' life will be held at the Trochu Community Centre on Thurs. August 23 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Alan Powell officiating. Lunch will be provided after by St. Paul's United Church Women. Donations in the memory of Agnes Cunningham can be made to the Trochu Valley Historical Society or the local charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to

PRAIRIE WINDS FUNERAL HOME

of Trochu, (403) 442-2200.

Condolences may be sent to

prairiewindsfuneralhome@gmail.com