Hart Family News

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Funeral Pictures

Marisa was able to play the violin at grandmothers funeral and we were able to watch through zoom. What a beautiful celebration of her life. Wish we could have been there in person, but this is the next best thing. #wheresthekleenex

Grandma Cunningham

Grandma passed away this summer and we will miss her dearly!

The world lost an incredible woman tonight and the heavens gained a beautiful and amazing angel. My beautiful grandmother passed away peacefully tonight. My heart is aching deeply but I can't help smile because I know my grandfather is there waiting to greet her. She was such a strong, independent woman, never missed a card for a bday or anniversary, and cared about each one of individually which is crazy because she had 8 kids, 20 something grandkids, tons of great grandkids (lost count) and even great great grandbabies. She made huge strides in the world of education, especially special education. She spent her entire life in service to others, binders and binders of family history work, working in the temple, and she was ALWAYS (and I do mean daily) making fudge and delivering it to someone in need. I strive to be even a bit like her. I am grateful she is now at peace and I can't wait to see you in heaven someday. Grandma- I love you dearly-Rest in peace!

Obituary:

Washington, Utah – Josephine Ann Evans Cunningham passed away June 25, 2020 at the age of 96. She was born in Canton, Stark County, Ohio on October 18, 1923 to Lucile Exline Evans and James Glen Evans. She is preceded in death by her parents and her older brother, Richard Glen Evans. Her younger brother, James Clarence Evans is a resident of Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Jo grew up in a rural area near Canton where she attended Middlebranch High School, where she was an outstanding student, a member of the Glee Club, the School Band and the Debate Team.

Upon receiving a scholarship, she spent her freshman year at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. While there she was selected to become the first female announcer for the college radio station which was an affiliate of KDKA, a Pittsburgh station. Other activities included writing for the college publication, taking part in drama, and being selected as Posture Queen of the year.

World War II broke out during her freshman year in college and changed the course of her life as it did so many others. Jo married her beloved John “Jack” James Cunningham October 23, 1942 in a civil ceremony conducted by her Great Uncle John Exline.

While Jack was serving in the Air Force, Jo attended two more years of college; first at University of Southern California and then at Kent State University in Ohio. Jo later accompanied him to Marana Air Base in Arizona and served as Assistant Red Cross Director on the Base. Subsequently she served as Hospital Red Cross Director at Amarillo Air Base, Texas. After eight years of service they left the Air Force and eventually moved to Southern California, settling in El Segundo.

After becoming members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they were sealed as a family in the Los Angles Temple. They later moved to Northern California and then to the Provo, Utah area.

While in Provo, Jo was able to complete her university studies and graduated with a Masters in Audiology and Speech Therapy, Summa Cum Laude. She also lobbied the Utah State Legislature tirelessly for improvements in Utah’s Special Education. This effort eventually resulted in classroom education for the neglected portion of children. For her efforts she later received the Utah ARC’s 1993 Don Quixote award for advancing special education in the state. Her following professional career consisted of many years in the Provo School District as a special education teacher.

John and Jo then retired to Washington City in Southern Utah.

As a member of the Church, she has served in many capacities such as Stake Missionary, Primary President, teacher in Gospel Doctrine and Relief Society and most important to her, serving as a Family History Consultant. She has devoted the last twenty years of her life searching out past family members and recording her research for her posterity. She was a beloved member of her ward, provided both valued advice to all about searching for their ancestors and teaching them to use the tools to do it for themselves. Her reputation was enhanced by being a major source of fudge for any sweet tooth, celebrating neighborhood birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays with her specialty. She always had a batch in the refrigerator to give to those she deemed worthy, which seemed to be everyone.

Her husband, John, passed away December 12, 2009. Surviving family members and their spouses include: Ann Cunningham Ribera (John); John Robert Cunningham (Gail); David Glen Cunningham (Kristine); Mary Jo Cunningham Bakove (Brad); Bruce Alan Cunningham (Teresa); Joseph Evan Cunningham (Karen), Daniel Sutton Cunningham (Lori) and Andrew James Cunningham. Her posterity includes twenty-two grandchildren, fifty-six great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

What happened to June and July?!

I feel like life has been a blur. Most days I don't know what day it is. I can't believe I haven't updated the blog in 2 months, but honestly because of the virus we are at home all the time and nothing new is happening. We have a fantastic daily routine- I think we will able to slip into retirement pretty easily! My memory has been crappy but I will do my best to assemble the last 2 months.

I was able to take a tour of my new school! It's huge and beautiful, and so many wonderful collaboration/working spaces. The library...oh the library! Look at this view of all the windows. I cant wait til the painting and flooring are done. AND cant wait for the new furniture and new books. What an exciting time!!!

Starting tomorrow- me, Deb (the other intermediate librarian) and both our associates will be at the main district building labeling and processing 1300 brand new laptops to hand out next month. It will be lots of work so I am grateful they are letting us start now and that my face shields came in! No word yet on when we can get into the schools or when my books can be delivered.

We had a great fathers day! The kids got Bob a t-shirt of what Ellie calls him and an ice cream maker that we used to make peach ice cream! I hope Bob knows how much we love and appreciate all he does for us.

My favorite part of this summer has been connecting more with family!

Our garden is flourishing!

I have had time to practice with my hair, workout, do yoga (moving to level 2) and really take care of me. I hope I can keep it up when school starts!

Sunday, June 07, 2020

Heading home is bitter-sweet!

It was hard to say good-bye after 3 wonderful weeks of spending time with our family. A HUGE thanks to Brandon and Kayla for housing us (as well as Alayna) for so long. We loved being a regular part of your household for a bit. But we also had lots to do at home and it was time to go.

Masks were required on all flights and in the airports and boy are those things hot!

I came home with some amazing gifts. Thanks Brandon for the awesome baby yoda made with the 3D printer.

I had to clean up and pack the guinea cage stuff. That was tough. The loss is real for sure. We also found that our dishwasher had been leaking through the ceiling into the storage room. So, we had to order a dishwasher and clean up the mess. The dishwasher just arrived yesterday. #1stworldproblems

Bob went back to work in Alayna's old room. I had to go into school for a week to recycle books, pack up books to go to the new middle schools and pack up all of my stuff (2 full van loads of stuff) to go to my new school. I wasn't allowed help so I was past exhausted. Also had a Zoom mtg with some staff from BP and got to see photos of the school's progress.

That top brown part is the library!!!

We have loved continually connecting with family! Especially since we feel so far away!

M/T/W we had to come in to gather supplies. Over 2,000 books and textbooks out. Thank goodness I was allowed help this time but masks had to be on the whole time. Kids came in on assigned shifts. We were super busy but still have almost 400 out. I met with the new Excelsior librarian for 4 hours. I am officially done at Excelsior. Turned in my keys. I get to take Lisa with me which is huge. It is also bitter-sweet. I LOVED working there- thought I would be there until I retired. But this is an incredible new chapter in my life and I dont think I have ever been this excited!!!

Alaynas diploma and a special t-shirt arrived for her so she is officially done with HS. She is currently raking in the dough working at Walmart in Springville.!

I finally got in for a haircut after an hour wait. Its crazy here. I told the lady what I wanted, but when I put my glasses back on, I found she had chopped it!!! They were whipping people through too fast. When I got home and brushed it, look at the cut! Worst haircut ever and it wont go into a ponytail.