Mary Ann (Wethington) Cunningham

Mary Ann (nee Wethington) Cunningham of Dyer, IN, passed away quietly in her sleep on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the age of 77. She was born Nov. 21, 1946, in Anderson, IN, the daughter of James Austin and Martha Ruth Wethington, who preceded her in death.

She was a successful entrepreneur, having co-owned a photography business in Martinsville, IN, for 20 years. She relocated to Portland, OR, in 2004 where she had a second career in retail furniture sales. Upon her retirement in 2017, she returned to Indiana, residing with her daughter and son-in-law.

In May of 2024 she completed her life-long goal of obtaining a college degree, graduating from the Honors College of Ivy Tech Community College with an Associates Degree of General Studies. She completed the degree with high academic honors and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. At her graduation, she was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award of Excellence from the Ivy Tech Honors College.

In addition to being a lifetime learner, she was highly committed to service and had been actively involved with Rotary International and had served as District Governor for District 658 as well as being the Rotary Club President of the Martinsville, IN, chapter.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking, and wildlife viewing. A highlight of her travels occurred when she swam with dolphins in Hawaii and took a hot air balloon ride for her birthday two years ago. An avid reader, she was looking forward to reading books that she wanted to read and were outside of her academic pursuits.

Mary Ann Cunningham is survived by her brother James Wethington and wife Jeannie; her son Scott and his wife Tiffany Pollard; her daughter Lori Ryser and her husband Marc; and grandson Ben Cunningham and his mother Donna Cunningham.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to Ivy Tech Community College.