Harriet Anne Cunningham

Harriet Anne Cunningham, 84, died Monday March 29, 2004 at her home in La Grande, OR. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 3, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Union, OR with Fr. Hank Albrecht officiating. A graveside internment will follow at the Union Cemetery.

Harriet was born on June 14, 1919 in Covington, Kentucky. She spent her childhood living in Boerne, Texas and then moved to Laurel, Maryland at the age of ten where she lived with her mother Sara Anne. She graduated from high school in Laurel and married Newell Major Swartz on August 12, 1938. She and Major had five children: Newell Major "Sandy"; Charles Brian "Skippy"; Sr. Elizabeth Anne "Tam"; Paul Edward; and Nancy Sara Anne before Newell Sr. passed away in 1947, leaving Harriet to raise her young children in Brandywine, Maryland. She married Earl M. Cunningham and had three children-Donald Joseph, Eileen Marie, and Nora Robin before moving to Phoenix, Arizona where Earl died in 1965.

Harriet worked as a waitress, computer assembler and cook to raise her children before retiring in Show Low, Arizona, but she will be remembered most for her life of service to others. Politically active, courageous, and passionate about human rights, she served her parish, the Neighborhood Housing Association, the cause of the migrant worker with the UFW, AFL-CIO, was instrumental in founding the Valley Friends of the Farmworkers with Caesar Chavez, provided sanctuary for refugees from El Salvador in the Sanctuary Movement, was arrested for protesting the U.S. government's aid to the Contras in the 1980s, and, after moving to northern Arizona, she was active with Navajo County CASA and the White Mountain SAFE House, a shelter for women and children. Harriet moved to La Grande, OR in 1999 and became involved with Oregon Rural Action. The UFW, the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, the SAFE House, and the Navajo County CASA recognized her for her years of service.

Harriet is survived by six children, seven children in-law, 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Two sons, Paul Edward Swartz and Joseph Donald Cunningham, died earlier. She leaves a legacy of faith and service in the face of adversity to her family and to all with whom she associated.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Harriet Cunningham to Union County CASA in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, OR 97850.