DORIS CUNNEEN VARGO, born August 21, 1928, died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, January 22 at the age of 88.
She was the daughter of the late Leo William and Sophia Cunneen, wife to her late beloved husband Julius John Vargo, adoring sister of Margaret Keefe, mother of Lisa, Alex, and Julie, grandmother of Sid, and special aunt to Liz Robertson.
She attended Oliver Hazard Perry School and Collinwood High. She left studies at Oberlin College to pursue a career in journalism with the Cleveland News where she started at the Obits desk, moved up to a Society column called "Gal About Town", and met her husband and lifelong friends. While raising her children she channeled her love of people and words into volunteer work with the League of Women Voters, Maternal Health Association (now Planned Parenthood), Project Learn, Buckeye Woodland School, Plymouth Church, Collinwood High student newspaper, The Connection, and SHAD.
She also returned to work as a part-time stringer for the Plain Dealer and later full-time work in public relations for University, Mount Sinai, Hillcrest, and Parma Hospitals, and ended her working life with the Mayfield Area Chamber of Commerce and as a substitute for the Shaker Heights Public Library.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from John Carroll University in 1986. An ardent Democrat, supporter of press freedom, organized labor, literacy, voting rights, and libraries, she was a proud lifelong Clevelander and Cleveland Public Schools graduate.
The family wishes to offer special thanks to the staff of McGregor Home for making her final days happy.
In lieu of flowers, please subscribe to a print news source or volunteer or donate to one of the good causes she supported to make the world a better place.
A Memorial service will be held Saturday, February 4th at 1 PM in Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights, 2860 Coventry Rd., Shaker Hts., OH 44120.