Kathryn Cunion

Kathryn Anne Cunion (nee Wright), age 38 of Shaker Hts., OH. Loving wife of William E. Cunion; devoted mother of William and Jessica; beloved daughter of Paul and Susan Wright of Shaker Hts.; dear sister of Margie (Jim) Wright-McGowan, Paul (Katie) Wright and John Wright; loving daughter-in-law of William and Karen Cunion of Massillon, OH; dear aunt to Megan, Emma, Sam, Owen, Susie, Zak, Roger, Woody, and Johnny; cherished granddaughter of Lavon Wright of Pontiac, Illinois.

Katie was born in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1975, and graduated from Mentor (Ohio) High School in 1993. She went on to Ohio University and graduated in 1997 with a degree in Organizational Communication. The summer after graduating, she married Bill and they moved to Urbana, Illinois; she supported the family while he completed graduated school. Once he finished, she returned to school, taking Elementary Education classes one or two at a time at the University of Mount Union. She couldn't take a full schedule because she was busy raising Will, who was born in 2002, and Jessica, who arrived in 2005. But she kept at it very diligently and earned her teaching license in 2010 (with a 4.0 grade point average). Shortly thereafter, she started substitute teaching in Shaker Heights City Schools, and they quickly took her on in a full-time role as a teacher's aide.

But the chronological facts somehow don't really tell her story. Her life was really about the people she loved and the many lives she touched. Some of her impact had to do with the courage and confidence with which she battled cancer. Will was just an infant when she was first diagnosed, and despite the challenges it would bring, she chose to have her leg amputated when he was only six weeks old, because it would improve her chances for survival. When the doctors gave her the tentative all-clear, Jessica came along to complete the family. Throughout her entire pregnancy, she never complained once about her leg pain. Just kidding - she complained about it a lot (but only to her husband) - because it hurt. A lot. But what she didn't do was let it stop her, or project her burdens onto others. That leg gave her pain for the rest of her life, but very few people knew that.

When she did share her struggles, she did so in order to encourage and support others. She was very public about her kids' autism and the many challenges that brought to her family. Without denying those challenges, she was adamant that happiness was always within reach, and was vocal about the importance of "finding the joy" in life, whatever the circumstances. The proof that she lived what she preached is found in stacks of photo albums that capture countless moments of joy - at the zoo, at amusement parks, at family gatherings, holiday parties, and school functions. Even when every step was painful, she was determined to enjoy her time with her family and friends, and most of all, to give her kids a happy childhood. A particularly special annual event for her was the summer trip to LaPorte, Indiana, for the county fair with her beloved aunts Brenda and Mary (Tootie), and her cousin, Steven, all of whom meant so much to her.

Her joyful spirit extended beyond her own family in so many ways. Even her oncologist, Dr. G. Thomas Budd, clearly admired her spirit and optimism, and she was honored when he spoke highly of her in a local news story. Her high school and college friends will also attest to the way she made others feel good just to be around her, especially Dani, Lisa, Tracey, Cami, Amy, Melissa and Allison - and really just way too many close friends to list. It would be easier to list the people who did not like her, because that list is completely empty. It was impossible not to like her.

When she started teaching in 2010, her reach would extend even further. Kids flocked to her, not only for her warmth and support, but for her patience and skill as an educator. She had some difficult assignments, but always met the challenges because she cared so deeply about the importance of each and every child. More than once, she would come home and cry, not out of frustration, but out of compassion for kids in bad situations. She took very seriously her role as the best hope for some kids to have a chance at success in life. And she was so fortunate to work alongside Amy, Marty, Karie, and Sonya, along with many others, who left an indelible mark on her, by showing her every day that great teaching requires both passion and skill. Her time at Onaway Elementary School was so cherished. Even during chemotherapy, even on her worst days, she would wake up eager to get to school to see her kids and her colleagues. She would often speak of the wonderful culture of education at Onaway, and was quick to credit principal Amy Davis for creating and sustaining such a warm and professional environment there, and was so grateful to be a part of that - and to contribute to it, as well.

There are so many other things that deserve mention and just listing them seems so inadequate to their importance in her life. She was a valued member of Beta Sigma Phi and Delta Gamma sororities. She was proud to be a part of Jessica's special-needs cheerleading team, the American Elite Idols, who performed at the World Championships at Disneyworld in 2010. She deeply loved being a part of the congregation at Church of the Saviour, and she was thrilled to be a volunteer for VBS last summer; the people there have carried the family for the past two years, and she was at peace knowing they would continue to do so. In her down time, she loved reading, scrapbooking, baking professional-quality birthday cakes, going to movies, listening to music way too loudly, and spending quiet evenings at home watching TV with Bill after getting the kids to bed. She didn't waste a minute... well, maybe one too many episodes of "Criminal Minds" or "Nashville."

But at the core of her life was her close family. She treasured her time with them, and loved each of them deeply. She was so close to all of her in-laws, including Robyn, Jim, Toy, Jean, Nora, Barbara, Reyna, and Aurora, and definitely all of the McGowans, that it seems silly to think of them as "in-laws." Bill's parents, especially, cherished her so very much; they often said that they could have searched the world over and not found a better wife for their son. She was an incredible big sister to brothers Paul and John. No one could bring out her infectious, boisterous laugh the way they always did, every time they were together. She welcomed Katie and now Amber into the family, recognizing immediately that their love for Paul and John would multiply the joy in our lives. Literally. She loved Woody's hilarious antics, and she was so deeply honored to be chosen as little Johnny's godmother.

She was a great big sister because she had a perfect role model in her own big sister, Margie Wright-McGowan. Their love for each other was - and is - truly indescribable. Margie was Katie's hero and best friend. There is no need to try to explain their incredible relationship. Anyone who saw it already knows, and anyone who did not see it wouldn't believe it, anyway. She also loved Margie's husband, Jim, so very much. She loved to argue politics with him - right up to the end believing that he could somehow see the error of his ways! But their differences were trivial, as she knew that he could be counted on for anything at any time. Katie had a special love for her nephew, Roger, and a beautiful, unique relationship with her niece and godchild Susie. She would tell anyone who listened about all of the amazing things Susie was doing, and she was always so impressed with Susie's burgeoning intellect and natural compassion. She knew that Susie will accomplish such great things in her life.

Katie's parents, Paul and Susan Wright, were the most important people in her life, because they shaped the person she became. When she needed help with the kids, they packed up their life and moved to be close to her. She was a great parent because she had great parents. She was her Daddy's girl every day of her life, and she respected and admired him for his devotion to his family, for working "like a dog" for all those years, and for his wonderful sense of humor - he could laugh at his own "issues" like no one else, and she loved that. Katie was a like a rabid pit bull protecting her family, and she knew that she got that from him. Katie and her mom had a deep and abiding love that blossomed into friendship as she grew older. They enjoyed one another's company, and Katie learned so much about life and love from her mom's quiet, selfless example. But she got a little of that pit bull from her mom, too.

On top of all that... her kids were everything to her. When Will was completely non-verbal, she alone could figure out his needs and wants, and settle his frustrations. But she tirelessly pushed for him to get the help he really needed, and wasn't afraid to be a thorn in the side of school districts or anyone else who would deny him what she thought he needed. And she didn't just demand from others, she did the work herself - for almost three years, she drove him back and forth every day from Canton to Cleveland, so that he could get the education he needed at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Center for Autism. His progress has been tremendous, and that's because he had such a determined mom. But she was no taskmaster with him - snuggles and tickles were the rule at home. But there was no love in the universe like that between Katie and her baby girl. Jessica adored Katie, and the feeling was mutual. They would do everything together - play games, read books, and always talk about the day just before bed. In her final months, Katie started a nightly "Mommy and Me" journal in which she and Jessica would list the good things about the day, as Katie wanted Jessica to choose to embrace a positive attitude to life, just as she did. Looking back through the entries, one is struck by how many of them involve just the two of them. Last Mother's Day, Jessica issued Katie a certificate that stated, "I love you because: It is so much fun being with you." She was a fantastic mom to both of them, one who knew exactly when to hug, when to scold, when to shrug, and when to cheer.

She was a perfect wife. There are so many ways to prove that statement, but one will do: She made it a hard-and-fast rule not to complain about Bill to anyone else. She knew that she would get over whatever irritating thing he had done (and there were a lot), but she worried that others might not. Instead of denigrating him, even when he deserved it, she always built him up. He owes his success to her unconditional support. In fact, he owes her everything.

Katie was a beautiful, smart, kind, funny person who will be forever missed. She would want you all to be just a little sad about that... but then she would remind you that even in the midst of the pain, it is essential to "find the joy." Life is short - sometimes way too short - but the joy you spread to others will live forever.

The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in her name to the Cleveland Clinic Lerner School for Autism, 2801 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Cleveland, OH 44104 or to the American Cancer Society, 11432 Mayfield Road Cleveland, Ohio 44106.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10am on Tuesday, May 28th at Church of the Saviour, 2537 Lee Rd., Cleveland, Hts., OH 44118. FRIENDS MAY CALL AT BROWN-FORWARD, 17022 CHAGRIN BLVD, SHAKER HTS ON MONDAY, MAY 27TH FROM 1-3 AND 5-7PM, OR ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE SERVICE AT THE CHURCH. Interment, Lake View Cemetery.


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