Florence Ann Lynch Cunningham, known by all as the epitome of grace, optimism, kindness, and faith, passed away December 20, 2023 at home. She was surrounded by her loving family, which she considered her most important achievement.
A terrific example of a life well lived, Florence put her Catholic faith and family first. From humble beginnings and no stranger to hardships, she crafted a life of accomplishment. She demonstrated a generous spirit her entire life and remained steadfast in her commitment to kindness, seeing the best in others and practicing forgiveness.
In her early career, Florence worked in the Chancery Office for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia where she was known for meticulously balancing their books and never being a penny off. She used her gift for accounting when starting her family with Bernard Cunningham. Florence’s gift with numbers and knack for stretching a dollar saw her through the births of 7 children and 7 different homes. She artfully crafted every drape, bedspread, coat and costume,the original DIY maven. She even managed to start her own wallpaper hanging business on the side with the help of her friend Kay McBryan.
From her monthly work regimes to keep the house clean to weekly trips to the dairy and produce market in Philadelphia, she was industrious and frugal and taught her children these values. The laundry was never ending, she was cooking to feed a small army, but she was smart enough to enlist the help of her kids, to the benefit of everyone. Friends and neighbors marveled at her cheerful and friendly nature in the face of the endless demands of her large and busy family.
Later she returned to work at Bloomingdales where she loved helping others. Ultimately, she was recruited away to work at a then little-known financial firm called Vanguard Investments. Florence initially doubted that she would be offered the position at Vanguard until she got the call that not only was she hired, she had posted the highest ever score on their math test to that point. As an early employee in the now behemoth firm, Florence rose to become the head of payroll, working closely with Senior department heads and in particular, CEO John Bogle, who somehow knew that he could trust and rely on Florence. She worked at Vanguard for 10 years before retiring. One of her proudest moments was standing center stage and being presented the Employee of the Year Award by Mr. Bogle.
The spotlight Florence always preferred most, though, was a mother. Her children were always the apples of her eye and she raised them with a firm hand and a loving touch. She was incredibly proud of her 7 children, 20 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, frequently delighting her friends with stories about graduations, new jobs, college acceptances, engagements and birth announcements as her family continued to grow and expand over the years.
Florence loved to travel and spent summers in her beloved Avalon, staying with lifelong friends with a shared love of the beach at a residence famously dubbed the“White House.” A Philadelphia Inquirer article about the White House gang documented their fun and comradery. She loved to reminisce and tell stories about their fun times at the Princeton, the Whitebrier and the Windrift, as well as countless days at the beach and around the dinner table with the best home-cooked food, great wine and great friends.
Later in life, Florence reconnected with her high school prom date, Harry Pettit, and her children soon realized that mom had a boyfriend. Florence and Harry had several wonderful years together traveling all over the world. Lifelong fans of the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers and Flyers, Florence and Harry loved cheering for their teams in person and on TV. Florence had a “we’ll get ‘em next year” optimism when her teams struggled. In typical Florence style, she excitedly braved frigid temperatures to board the train to Broad Street at 84 years old and celebrate her beloved Eagles at their 2018 Super Bowl Champions Parade.
More recently Florence moved to Brightview Senior Living in Devon where she again made many new friends and enjoyed attending almost every event offered on their daily calendar. She loved exercise class, happy hour and rarely missed a movie with friends at the end of every night.
She was always happy and never had a cross word for anyone, instead preferring to see the good in others. She trusted her faith in the Lord and was involved in her churches: St Isaac Jogues, St. Norbert where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, and most recently, Our Lady of Assumption.
In the end she was at peace with her life, her legacy and the Lord. She told us not to worry, as she was all “set and ready” whenever the time came, even at times eager to move on. She will be missed by many and was deeply loved by all who knew her.
Florence is survived by her children Kathy (Steve) Conaboy, Carol (Jay) Cottone, Chris (Christine) Cunningham, Brenda (David) Johnson, Colleen (Tom) Kirk, Kyle (Pauline) Cunningham, Brian Cunningham and her 20 grandchildren Stephen Conaboy, Megan Cottone, Jillian Colbert, Dylan Cottone, Elizabeth Sury, Cara Conaboy, Laura Smith, Sarah Grant, Ryan Cottone, Brendan Viola, Conor Kirk, Keenan Kirk, Sean Kirk, Madysen Cunningham, Evan Cunningham, Hayden Cunningham, Kendall Cunningham, Reagan Cunningham, Carly Cunningham, Peyton Cunningham and 7 great grandchildren, Matthew Fishman, Colin Fishman, Jack Colbert, Jane Colbert, Emma Grant, Henry Sury, and Maeve Grant, Florence had enough love for each and every one of us.
She was our North, our South, our East and our West, our working week, our Sunday rest. She was our everything always, and we will never forget her.
In lieu of flowers and in honor of Florence’s commitment and support for Organ Donation, please consider a gift in her name to Giftoflifehowieshouse.org.
Visitation Thursday Dec 28, 6pm to 8pm, Alleva’s Funeral Home, Paoli Pa.
Visitation Friday Dec 29, 10am to 11am. St Norbert’s Church, Paoli Pa. Mass of Christian burial follows at 11am.
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