1925 – 2016

RUMFORD — Jeanne Cunningham, of Rumford, passed away Friday, Sept. 30, at Rumford Community Home, with her loving family at her side.

She was born June 11, 1925, the daughter of Herve Lessard and Zenaide Deblois Lessard in Saint-Benoit, PQ, Canada. She married Woodrow Morissette on Oct. 9, 1945, her dream of marrying a tall, dark and handsome man who could speak English fulfilled. Together with their two oldest children, they came to the U.S. in 1950 and later moved to Mexico. Jeanne was a housewife until she and her husband decided to go into business running the Blue Lines Bus terminal restaurant in 1963.

Because of her French origin and difficulty with English names, coupled with her love of people, it was there that her decision to call everyone “Sugarpie” was born. She was beautiful and spirited and it did not take long for her to win everyone’s heart.

Two years after the death of Woodrow, and in keeping with her love of tall, dark and handsome, she married Peter Cunningham on June 9, 1979, and took on her second family.

Jeanne was a positive, happy and determined woman who could do anything she put her mind to. She filled our lives with joy.

She leaves behind her husband, Peter Cunningham; brothers, Jean-Rock Lessard and Gerard Lessard and wife, Julienne; a sister, Therese Achey; a daughter, Judy Lowell and husband, Paul; a son, Carl “Chuck” Morissette; children, Peter Cunningham Jr., Randy Cunningham and wife, Donna, Trena Magoon, Zach Cunningham and wife, Paula, Cindrie Cormier and husband, Jimbo, and Mitch Cunningham and wife, Heather; many beloved grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Woodrow Morissette; sons, Henry Morissette and Kenneth Morissette; brothers, Rosario Lessard and Henri Lessard; and sisters, Juliette Veilleux and Denise Quirion.

The family would like to offer a special thank-you to all of the staff at the Rumford Community Home for the wonderful care given to Jeanne. You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Cunningham family by visiting their guest book at www.sgthibaultfuneralhome.com.