Kristin Cunningham

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Kristin Leigh Cunningham, 29, passed away on Monday, March 17, 2008, after a valiant battle with leukemia for the past three years. She was surrounded by family and friends at the Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis at the time of her passing.

Kristin was born on Oct. 16, 1978, in DuQuoin, a cherished daughter of Ted and Cathy (Taylor) Cunningham and sister of Julie Wilder, all of Pinckneyville. Kristin was a 1996 graduate and valedictorian of PCHS. She graduated in 2000 from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in advertising. Kristin was an enthusiastic French horn player in the Marching Illini and Symphony. Her travels with the band took her to Ireland to march in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin in 1998. Kristin's love for music continued at the University of Texas where she received a master's degree in music performance in 2005. She performed with the University of Texas Wind Ensemble in New York City at Carnegie Hall in 2005. The day that Kristin was to graduate, she became ill with leukemia. Her degree and hood were conferred in the hospital.

Survivors include her parents; a sister, Julie (Donnie) Wilder of Pinckneyville; three aunts, Eleanor Cunningham of Pinckneyville, Carol Heisner of Pinckneyville and Linda (Jerald) Sims of Harrisburg; one uncle, Rex Steele of Hanford, Calif.; and numerous cousins and friends.

A memorial celebration will be held to honor Kristin on Saturday, March 22, at 6 p.m., at the United Methodist Church in Pinckneyville, where Kristin was a member, with Rev. Jim Barnett officiating. A reception to celebrate her life will follow in the fellowship hall.

At Kristin's request, the family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Kristin Cunningham Benefit Fund, where they will be distributed by her family to three special benefits which are the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, caringbridge.org website that so many people have read, responded and followed and the Kristin Cunningham Music Scholarship Fund. Donations can also be made by contacting Murphy Wall State Bank, Pinckneyville, or the Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville.

Throughout her life, Kristin has been a very unique and special lady who has touched the lives of all who knew her. She will leave behind a legacy of love, hope and courage to her family and so many friends. Our lives are changed forever.

For more information please call Pyatt Funeral Home or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.