Beloved wife of V. Richard Cunningham, loving mother of Mary E., Thomas J., IV, Janet M. Cunningham and Catherine M. (James) Hamm of La Cañada Flintridge. She was the sole survivor among her seven siblings from Bradford, Pa. She is also survived by four wonderful grandchildren, Megan, Kevin, Justin and Sarah Hamm.
Helen was the youngest of four girls in her family, the sixth of eight children born to immigrant parents, Nicholas and Julia Cibula from Austria, and what was then Czechoslovakia. Her family was very loving and tight-knit.
In her 20s, she moved to Florida and lived wit
h her older brother and sister-in-law briefly before moving to Hollywood. Soon after moving to L.A., while working as a talent payroll supervisor at CBS (Television City), she met her husband of 60 years, Dick Cunningham, through the Young People’s Club at St. Ambrose. They were later married by Bishop Manning at St. Gregory Church.
As she was quite fond of her job and co-workers, she remained an active member of the CBS “FROGS” Alumnae Group for decades. As a devoted mother, Helen was involved in the Mother’s Club at Cathedral Chapel (18 years), Notre Dame Academy (12 years) and Loyola High School (four years). In her spare time she was an active member of the Good Shepherd Guild, Holy Family Guild, enjoyed her Knights of Columbus bowling group and spending time with her four grandchildren.
She lived a long and blessed life spanning nine decades; always putting her family and others ahead of herself. She was kindhearted and gracious to everyone she met. Her strong faith in God has been her guiding light throughout her life and was apparent in everything she did. Helen was a true “classy lady” in every sense; beautiful inside and out, with a heart of gold to match.
She leaves behind a lovely legacy and will always be remembered for her sweet and gentle nature, her sunny disposition, beautiful smile and good sense of humor.
A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12, at Cathedral Chapel (La Brea —Olympic) in a private interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Good Shepherd Center for Women, located at 1640 Rockwood St., Los Angeles.
Feel free to sign the online guest book for Helen at tinyurl.com/HelenCunninghamObituaryGuestBk.
