Dorothy Cunningham Vance

Dorothy Cunningham Vance, of La Grange Park, Illinois, widow of Captain Walter R. Vance and last surviving child of Peter and Marcella Cunningham of Madison County, Iowa, died on February 19, 2011 at the age of 92. She is survived by her 2 children, Mary Anne Vance (Mark R. Jaffe) of Seattle, WA and David C. Vance (Wendy) of HI; three grandchildren , Michael D. Jaffe, New York City, Demian Vaughs (Eva), San Diego, CA, Sam Vaughs (Windy), Oahu, HI and three great-grandchildren. Dorothy and Walter were blessed to have raised their niece, Elizabeth Ryan (John Dietrich) after her parents’ passing, and they adored Elizabeth’s children, Noah Schuchman (Heidi) and Daniel Schuchman (Kayla), all of Minneapolis, MN. When Dorothy and Walter were 60 years old 18-month old Laura Collins Corder (Michael), now from Dallas, TX, was also welcomed into their home and raised with great and lasting affection. Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Walter had a special place in their hearts for their many nieces and nephews and had an especially close relationship with the children of her late sister, Catherine Carraher, who grew up in the house next door: Richard Carraher, Streamwood, IL; Patricia Maley (James), Western Springs, IL; and Sally Rackowski, Chester, NJ. Her door was always open and nieces and nephews from Iowa, California, Florida, Arizona and Minneapolis were frequent visitors. She is also survived by numerous grand-nieces and nephews, and several great-grand nieces and nephews. Dorothy’s relatives were important to her and she relished her role as family matriarch. Dorothy maintained lifelong friendships with Winterset, IA residents Pat Montross and Ruth Cunningham. Mary Rose Seifert, Evelyn Dopper, Marie Scully, Gloria Kleinke, Lorene Donegan, Ted and Mary Ann Sward, Suzanne and Sheila Larson, Betty Collins (deceased), Shirley Schrader (deceased) and Kay Mc Millan (deceased) were among her longtime La Grange area friends. Maria Gorycka was her treasured care-provider for many years and the family is grateful for the love and attention she gave Dorothy. Dorothy and Walter were sweethearts since their days at Winterset High School and they married in 1944. Walter was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his war efforts and spent the remainder of his professional life as a Captain for United Airlines. They enjoyed travel and took many trips around the world. Dorothy’s work was in the home raising the kids, organizing church events, entertaining on a grand scale and cooking wonderful food. A big fan of Julia Child, she never met a recipe she did not want to try and sincerely believed that butter was its own essential food group. Dorothy’s life long passion was bridge: she loved the game and the people she played with. She belonged to several bridge clubs and hosted a bridge party at her house the week before she died. She kept up with current events and the stock market and was proud that she handled her financial affairs without help. She was a fiercely independent and intelligent thinker as well as a loyal friend. Never boring, always talking and planning the next adventure, she had a passion for life and lived it to the fullest. There will be a memorial service on her 93rd birthday, Saturday, June 11, 2011: Mass will begin at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Winterset, IA. Her remains will be interned along with Walter’s and her parents’ in the Winterset Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the Cunningham House where Dorothy was born, two miles west of Winterset at 1981 Iowa 92. The house is now owned by Rose Acre Farms and they have graciously made it available to family and friends to welcome Dorothy home Remembrances in honor of our parents' compassionate work supporting young people can be made to the 'Dorothy and Walter Vance Scholarship Fund', St. Joseph High School, 10900 W. Cermak Road, Westchester, Il. 60154, www.stjoeshs.org, Phone (708) 562 4433; Attn: Principal Donna Kiel.'