Cunningham, Ellen "One of my favorite things in this life was to make people laugh," Ellen Cunningham said during one of the last days of her life. Happily for her family and friends Ellen was often successful at bringing humor and laughter. Ellen died October 12, 2019 at age 79 after years of declining health. She was born on July 18, 1940 in Brooklyn, NY to William Farrell and Florence Peterson Farrell. She grew up on Jordan Street in Bayside, Queens, New York. Ellen began her career in advertising agencies along Madison Avenue in New York City. At the Young and Rubicam agency she met and married John Cunningham. They began their family in Queens and Long Island, New York before moving to the Twin Cities. In the second half of her career Ellen worked for the archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. She worked at the Cathedral of St. Paul and Lumen Christi Catholic Community. She enjoyed meeting and helping people. In her work for the church she often saw people on the best days and worst days of their lives. She treated everyone with kindness and understanding. Ellen had a vivid personality. She disliked: injustice, arrogance, ignorance, cheapness, humidity, mosquitoes, and intolerance. She liked: family, friends, books, the ocean, making stuffing at Thanksgiving, Christmas mornings, VW Beetle cars, holiday-specific candy of any kind, stories, Doris Day movies, and spunky terrier dogs. Ellen is survived by her husband of 55 years, John; her daughter, Greta (granddaughter Flynn); her daughter, Kimberly (grandchildren Alex, Willow, Ryley, Tyler, Skyler, Bryden, Vylette); her son, William and his wife Sara (grandson Sam). A simple mass celebrating Ellen will be held at Lumen Christi Catholic Community in St. Paul Wednesday, October 30, 2019 10 a.m. Ellen's life was focused on making the world a more compassionate place. In lieu of flowers, her family would appreciate a donation to the charity of your choice.