Linda Cunningham

Linda Cunningham, who lived life with intrepid spirit and love, dies at 75.

Linda Valentine (Harley) Cunningham, age 75, of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away on March 31, 2022, at home, in her sleep, with her husband, Michael, beside her. She was born on January 2, 1947, in Maple Bluff, Wisconsin, the daughter of Jewell Valentine (Bunnell) and William Gardner Harley. Her life as an ardent mother and grandmother, cherished wife and dear friend was a supreme example of love and even-tempered composure. Her beauty was beyond compare and her quick wit and unassuming intelligence blended smoothly with her glowing kindness. Her children and grandchildren came first in all things. She was devoted to them and had a deep understanding of the unique contribution each made to her world. Her marriage with Michael was a joyful love affair. They were a couple for 50 years.

Linda’s childhood home was on the shore of Lake Mendota, in Maple Bluff, and she carried fond memories and lasting friendships from that period throughout her life. In 1960, her family moved to the Washington, D.C., area. She graduated from Mount Vernon Seminary High School in 1965, where she was Vice-President of her senior class, President of the drama club, and well known for her self-confidence and independence.

In 1966, she married John M (Jack) Settle and they embarked on a yearslong journey that took them to Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Vancouver BC, Seattle and back to Iowa. They had two sons, Allan and John. She was young when she had her sons, and she was traveling, and she had no access to advice or guidance to nurture their early childhood. She met the challenge with gifted capability and did it on her own. From that experience, throughout her life, in every moment, for every family member and friend, she infused love and care.

Over time, in the wake of their young marriage, Linda and Jack began to lead separate lives. Linda moved to Des Moines, with her sons, to attend Drake University. In 1972, Linda met Michael Cunningham, they fell in love, moved to Lorane, Oregon, and married in a meadow near their home in 1976.

They lived an idyllic life with their young sons in the forest outside Lorane, along Douglas Creek and the Siuslaw River, and later in a country home near Cottage Grove, Oregon. While in Oregon, they operated Children’s Community School which provided progressive education to children aged five through twelve. In November of 1977, Linda gave birth to their daughter, Kinnavey, and in the summer of 1979, the family returned to Linda’s home city, Madison, so the children’s grandparents could see them more often.

In addition to her delight with family and friends, Linda pursued a variety of interests. When Linda and Michael met, they enjoyed plants and gardens but knew little about them. In typical fashion, Linda gathered the volumes and learned everything she could about flowers and plants and gardens. She worked in garden centers in Middleton and Madison and developed deep knowledge of plants, shrubs, trees and landscaping. When Michael’s position took them to Sacramento for three years, Linda became a Certified Floral Designer there and worked in a combined florist shop and nursery. Wherever they lived, Linda dressed their life in flowers and plants.

As medical practice transformed itself into the health industry, and family practice converted to efficiencies of scale, Linda devoured the literature on health and the field of medicine to protect her family, and she became a well of knowledge in those areas, including extensive research in mental health. When asked by friends or family about health challenges, she had ready information on resources and references for coordination with health care providers.

Linda returned to college in Madison and completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin Madison. She graduated summa cum laude and aligned three generations of women as graduates from UW Madison: her mother, Jewell, herself, and her daughter, Kinnavey.

Linda was also a highly talented artist, and she received exceptional art training while in Washington DC. Although she subsumed that avocation to the priorities of her family, she occasionally produced watercolors and sketches - and murals on the basement walls, a talent she was known to exercise in her high school years. And Linda loved to take her children and grandchildren to the theater.

Linda is survived by her husband Michael, son Allan William Settle of Madison, son John Martin and wife Nicole Talbott Settle of Madison, daughter Kinnavey Valentine Cunningham and husband Jon Schlueter of Seattle, her grandchildren Skyler and Dane Talbott Settle, and her sister Cynthia (William) Hohenberger. In addition to her parents, Linda was predeceased by her two sisters, Gail and Gratia Harley.

Linda was buried beside her parents and sisters in a private family ceremony at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison. She wanted no attention, no services.

Memorial contributions may be sent in her name to the International Crane Foundation, Attn: Kim Boardman, E11376 Shady Lane Road, P.O. Box 447, Baraboo, WI, 53913. (Donations are tax deductible.)

We did not expect her to die. She planned to become well and go on. And then she took the lead to scout ahead.