Karen L. Cunningham

OGDENSBURG There will be no calling hours or memorial services for Karen L. Cunningham, age 76, of Ogdensburg, who passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025.

Miss Cunningham is survived by her sisters, Patricia Edwards (Ogdensburg), Pamela (John) Sovie (Morristown), and Darcy Larock (Ogdensburg); her nieces and nephews; aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She was predeceased by her father, Daniel T. Cunningham; her mother, Eleanor (Randall) Cunningham; her infant sister Eva; and her grandparents, Isadore & Mary (Mahoney) Cunningham (DeKalb Junction) and George and Delora (Myre) Randall (Ogdensburg).

Miss Cunningham was born in Ogdensburg, attended Catholic elementary schools, and graduated from Ogdensburg Free Academy in the Class of 1966. She continued her education, receiving an A.A.S. degree from Canton College of Technology (Accounting-1969); B.S. degree from SUNY Albany (Business Education-1971); M.S. degree from SUNY Albany (Business Education-1977); and St. Lawrence University (School Counseling-1987 and School Administration-1993).

Miss Cunningham taught Business Education at Massena Central High School, Tupper Lake High School, and Morristown Central School. She served as a Guidance Counselor at Morristown Central and Lisbon Central Schools. She served as a school administrator at Morristown Central School (CSE/CPSE Chairperson), South Lewis Central Schools (Glenfield Elementary Principal), and Lisbon Central School (Junior/Senior High Principal and CSE/CPSE Chairperson).

After serving 31 years in public education, Miss Cunningham retired in 2004 and began her own pet sitting business, Karen's Critter Care-using proceeds from the business to assist with the work of the local SPCA as well as other pet-related causes. After serving pets and their caregivers, her last client passed away, and she closed her business in 2020.

After college, Miss Cunningham played on several women's softball teams both in Massena and Ogdensburg. For several years, she was a participant in running events throughout the North Country, culminating in the completion of two marathons to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America and raising over $10,000. Karen also captained a team for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life People & Pets Against Cancer. She continued her work to fight cancer by participating in the yearly Colors of Cancer event in Ogdensburg in memory of both two- and four-legged friends who passed from that disease. A lifetime lover of animals, Miss Cunningham volunteered at the St. Lawrence Valley SPCA as well as serving on its Board of Directors.

Karen's final wish is simple. Upon reading or hearing of her death, please take your favorite beverage, go outside, and raise it to the heavens. If you feel Karen did right by you or if you feel she did you harm, wish her well and take a hardy drink. In either case, you can be assured that she did the best she could on your behalf with the information she had at the time.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Lawrence Valley SPCA, P.O. Box 594, Ogdensburg, NY 13669, so this organization can continue to serve the needy animals of our region.