Saturday, March 14, 2026
I was lucky enough to grow up across the street from the Cunningham family. I could only wish that my kids could be fortunate to have the childhood I had. Dozens of built in neighborhood friends including 3 brothers I never had, climbing trees, hours spent in the woods gathering berries and bark, skinned knees, kickball and sledding. We were unsupervised, safe, adventurous and independent. Every neighborhood had that house where the kids and their mothers knew the kids were welcome…to take a bathroom break, have lunch or eat a snack. For the kids on Timber Trail that house was the Cunninghams. Kay Cunningham worked nights as a labor + delivery nurse while raising 5 kids but always welcomed you into her home and shared whatever she had cooking in her crockpot. We never knew when she slept? What her kids had for lunch, you were welcome to have for lunch too. She was a 2nd mom to not only me but Shelby, Brian Turkel, The Mahans, Augusts, Benders, the list goes on and on. In addition to feeling welcome in her home and cared for, you also received free life coaching as well. Being a rebellious, spirited, loud, roughhouse kind of girl I was always in need of extra parenting. Kay did not hold back if she thought you weren’t being nice, respectful or fair, that was just part of the deal. But you liked her so much that you never wanted to disappoint her. On occasion she took us on field trips in her family bus: the tan and white striped Surburban. What fun we had. I moved away after high school but whenever I think back to Timber Trail and my childhood, the Cunningham kids and Kay are front and center because I have so many happy memories with them. I am forever grateful. Kay you are loved and will be very missed xoxo ~Debbie Skinner Noyes
