Cunningham, Barbara A.

ALBANY- “Shoot the Luck” Barbara A. “Aunt Barb” Cunningham, 75, died suddenly, January 25, 2016 at her favorite place, Ocean Ridge, Florida surrounded by her family. Born in Albany, she was the daughter of the late John and Dorothy (Shields) Cunningham. She graduated from Kenwood Academy and the College of St. Elizabeth in NJ. Aunt Barb was a Home Economics teacher at Hackett Middle School for over 30 years. She was an avid golfer and long time member of the Normanside Country Club.

Barbara packed a lot of living into her life. There was always an extra place at her table; there was always a gift to be shared; there was always a funny story to be told; there was always time for a cigarette (or two), a Scotch on the rocks (or two), and a late night conversation full of laughter.

Barbara was never on time, but was always there when you needed her. She and her beloved sister Maureen were always the hosts for the best Thanksgivings, the best parties, the best adventures.

Barbara never could resist a flea market or an antiques store. She loved water color painting, quilting, new recipes, trips to the casino, evenings at a favorite restaurant (when she almost inevitably would pick up the tab), days at the golf course, mornings in her garden, shopping sprees, old friends, new friends, her sisters Maureen, Kay and Joan and their husbands, her nieces and nephews, and her grandnieces and grandnephews.

Barbara loved to tease (sometimes without mercy), but no one could laugh harder at herself. She made everyone feel that they were a member of her family, treated every new acquaintance as if he or she were a lifelong friend.

She is the loving sister of Joan (late Nicholas V.) Tateo, Catherine “Kay” (late Joseph) Cacciola and late Maureen Cunningham; She is the aunt of Maria L. Tateo, Richard “Rick”: Beebe, John J. “Jack” (Kathy) Tateo, Nicholas A. (Virginia) Tateo, Ann I. (Robert Patterson) Hanley, Joseph C. (Beth) Cacciola, Karen C. (Joseph) Letteri, Robert V. (Elaine) Cacciola and the late Eileen Tateo Beebe and Fr. Anthony Michael Cacciola OSB; grand-aunt of James (Lindsay), Robert Tateo and Kristine(Nicholas) Snow, Kristen and Ryan Hanley, Lauren Patterson, Kaitlyn and Christopher Cacciola, Joe, Jeremy and Nathan Letteri, Jessica and Ryan Cacciola and the late Meghan Kyla Tateo Beebe; great-grand aunt of Kylie Meghan Snow.Aunt Barb, “Love You More”.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 8:45 am from the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, Inc., 490 Delaware Ave. thence to The Parish of Mater Christi, where a Mass of Christians Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 am. Burial will follow the Mass in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.

Relatives and friends are invited and may visit with her family on Friday, January 29, 2016 from 4-7 pm. Those who wish may send memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 1 Penny Lane, Latham, NY 12110.