Whitworth mourns the loss of trustee Linda Cunningham
June 8, 2012
Whitworth Trustee Linda Cunningham lost her brave battle with cancer on June 4, 2012. A memorial service for Linda will take place on Sunday, June 10, at 1:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Cedar St., in Spokane.
Linda attended Baylor University and earned her B.B.A. degree at Eastern Washington University in 1982. She was also certified as an ophthalmic executive. She was happily married to her high-school sweetheart, Mike, for 46 years. She made eight trips to Africa, where she supported Mike, an eye surgeon, as he performed cataract surgery on people who would otherwise have no access to this life-changing procedure. Linda was a business manager and consultant for Inland Eye Center, in Spokane, and was involved in mission work, from filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child to participating in a trip to Thailand to visit the orphanage that her church supports.
An avid community volunteer, she served on the Whitworth Board of Trustees, as well as on the boards of Spokane County Medical Auxiliary, the Spokane Symphony, and Transitional Living Center Planning. She also served on the Session at Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church. Linda is survived by her husband, Mike, their three grown children, Mick, Mark and Amanda, and five grandchildren.
"Mike is grateful for the love and support shown to Linda during her four years of sickness, and the support we can now offer the family in prayer," says Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor. "I know the Whitworth community joins me in praying for Mike, Mick, Mark and Amanda as they grieve the loss of their wife and mother. We now grieve the loss of a true friend, and a great supporter of the university."
Taylor's last conversation with Linda occurred shortly after the Whitworth Board of Trustees meeting in April, a meeting Linda had to miss due to her illness. "Linda spoke to me from her hospital bed, wanting to know every detail of the business that occurred at the meeting and asking multiple questions about the state of the university," Taylor says. "Even in her illness, Linda was a loyal trustee and a responsible leader. Most of all, Linda was a fan and enthusiastic supporter of all things Whitworth. We will miss her."
Linda attended Baylor University and earned her B.B.A. degree at Eastern Washington University in 1982. She was also certified as an ophthalmic executive. She was happily married to her high-school sweetheart, Mike, for 46 years. She made eight trips to Africa, where she supported Mike, an eye surgeon, as he performed cataract surgery on people who would otherwise have no access to this life-changing procedure. Linda was a business manager and consultant for Inland Eye Center, in Spokane, and was involved in mission work, from filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child to participating in a trip to Thailand to visit the orphanage that her church supports.
An avid community volunteer, she served on the Whitworth Board of Trustees, as well as on the boards of Spokane County Medical Auxiliary, the Spokane Symphony, and Transitional Living Center Planning. She also served on the Session at Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church. Linda is survived by her husband, Mike, their three grown children, Mick, Mark and Amanda, and five grandchildren.
"Mike is grateful for the love and support shown to Linda during her four years of sickness, and the support we can now offer the family in prayer," says Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor. "I know the Whitworth community joins me in praying for Mike, Mick, Mark and Amanda as they grieve the loss of their wife and mother. We now grieve the loss of a true friend, and a great supporter of the university."
Taylor's last conversation with Linda occurred shortly after the Whitworth Board of Trustees meeting in April, a meeting Linda had to miss due to her illness. "Linda spoke to me from her hospital bed, wanting to know every detail of the business that occurred at the meeting and asking multiple questions about the state of the university," Taylor says. "Even in her illness, Linda was a loyal trustee and a responsible leader. Most of all, Linda was a fan and enthusiastic supporter of all things Whitworth. We will miss her."
