Judy Cunningham

Judy Ann Cunningham died on Dec. 11, 2020 at McLaren Hospital in Flint, MI. due to complications from the Covid-19 virus. She was 72 years old.

She was born on Oct.6, 1948 in Clare, Michigan. Judy attended Swartz Creek High School from which she graduated in 1966 with the honor of being the most decorated athlete in school history, earning 13 varsity letters during her four years.

While sport was her passion, it was the railroad Judy said often, that was her true love. She worked for Grand Trunk Railroad then CN Railroad from 1967 until her retirement in 2010. During her 43-year career she was the “first” woman in Grand Trunk history to occupy many administrative positions including being the first female yard master, a job she loved for nearly 20 years.

She lived in several communities in the Swartz Creek area over her life but returned to Swartz Creek after retiring. Judy lived near the former Grand Truck Railroad tracks where she said the sound of the trains moving along the tracks rocked her to sleep at night and brought peace.

Judy is remembered by her brothers and sister for all she taught them, the patience she showed as they were growing up, the terrifying horror movies she took them to, the undying love and pride she showed for her family which was often scattered around the county and for the intense Euchre and Cribbage games she played with family members.

She was proceeded in death by her partner of 35 years, Sandra (Sandy) Cole in 2016, her parents James (Jim) L. Cunningham and Janice E. Cunningham.

Judy is survived by her partner Brenda Biggers-Averill, brother Joe (Carol) Cunningham of San Francisco, Jayne Heffron of Milwaukee, and Jeff (Cindy) Cunningham of Grand Rapids as well several, nephews, a niece, and a grandniece she was fortunate to meet months before her death.

The family wishes to thank the entire medical staff of McLaren Hospital for their love and compassion as they took care of Judy as if she were their own sister in the last days of her life. Covid-19 restrictions meant the family couldn’t be with her in her final hours. As heartbreaking as it was for the family not to be there, they found comfort in knowing she was in the care of truly gifted medical professionals.

No memorial service is planned at this time due to Covid-19 restrictions. Judy’s ashes will be inurned in Crestwood Cemetery, Flint, in the family plot beside her parents and several other relatives.

Those wishing to make a donation in Judy’s name, are asked to do so to either The Pride Fund, https://www.cfgf.org/Our-Work-Impact/Current-Initiatives/Pride-Fund or to the Crim Fitness Foundation, crim.org . Tributes many be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.