Obituary of Margaret B. Cunningham

Schenectady Margaret Barnes Cunningham, age 97, died on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2016 at home after a long illness. Mrs. Cunningham was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY to Eloise Banks Barnes and Kenneth Edgerton Barnes. She was educated in Brooklyn Public Schools, Hampton Institute, Howard University, and SUNY Albany. She married James Frederic Cunningham in December 1943. In 1953, they moved to Alaska where they lived for four years, after which they settled in the Capital District, NY, in Delmar in 1957 for 9 years, and in Schenectady from 1966 to the present. Mrs. Cunningham is best known as the founder of the Hamilton Hill Arts Center, where she served as Executive Director for the first twenty-three years, when health problems forced her resignation. Her main concerns were employing the arts in character development in children and helping youngsters to a better self-image. She had a significant impact on the youth who attended the Hamilton Hill Arts Center during her time there. She was also a founder of Black Dimensions in Art, Inc. serving as President for the first thirteen years. During the Civil Rights Movement of the ‘60’s she was a founder and guitarist for CORE SINGERS which raised funds for the Congress of Racial Equality as well as for SNCC (Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee). Members of the CORE SINGERS sang to raise funds to purchase cars for use by SNCC volunteers in their Voter Registration drive in the south. She served on many boards including the Board of the now defunct York State Craftsmen, the Schenectady County Mental Health Board, the Schenectady Museum Board, and the WMHT Channel 17 Board. She received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the community. She was pre-deceased by her husband of over 70 years, Dr. James F. Cunningham, her brother, William Barnes of Bronx, NY, her sisters, Helen Eutemey and Ruby Barnes of Brooklyn, NY and grandson, Marcus Conn of Schenectady, NY. She is survived by Margaret “Miki” Conn of Schenectady, NY, Fern Cunningham-Terry and son-in-law, Alvin Terry of Hanson, MA, foster-son, Hilvan Finch; grandchildren, Lisa Conn of Washington, DC, Rachel Conn, of Canajoharie, Anthony Conn of Schenectady, NY; Kumasi Allen and Khalil Allen of Boston, MA; Shandelea Abdul Hadi and husband Kojo Abdul Hadi of Boston, MA; Autumn Allen and husband, Daren Graves of Boston, MA; a host of great grandchildren, nieces, other relatives and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hamilton Hill Arts Center, 409 Schenectady St., Schenectady, NY, 12307 or Black Dimensions in Art, Inc., 409 Schenectady St., Schenectady, NY 12307. Mrs. Cunningham specified natural (green) burial as an alternative to the traditional funeral service. Her pioneering spirit will live on even in death. She will be the first green burial in “The Dell” – a newly dedicated, green burial section within Historic Vale Cemetery, Schenectady, NY. The interment will take place privately at the convenience of her family. Memorial Service will be held in the spring at a time and date to be announced. Arrangements entrusted to SIMPLE CHOICES, Inc.