Jessie Cunningham

Jessie (Purden) Cunningham, 98, of Topeka, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Jessie was born on October 18, 1925, in Glasgow, Scotland. Jessie grew up on Trossachs Street in the Maryhill tenements, under the loving care of her parents, Robert and Isabel Purden along with the rest of a large loving Scottish clan of siblings, extended family and a community of neighbors. The rich culture of her neighborhood during her time has been captured in the book, Night Song of the Last Tram : A Glasgow Childhood, written by a family friend, Robert Douglas.

Like so many young people of the Second World War, love shaped Jessie’s fate. She married James Cunningham on May 14, 1946 in Topeka, Kansas. Jessie and Jim were married for over 63 years. Their relationship was filled with reciprocal love, respect and friendship. During their loving marriage, they welcomed three children; Jim, Donna (White), and John Cunningham. After countless hours of study, she proudly earned her United States Citizenship in 1951. Jessie was a member of the University United Methodist Church, of Topeka and the Topeka St. Andrew Society.

Jessie was an inspiration and delight to those that knew her. She was small but mighty, kind yet feisty, courageous, and curious, She truly was a person who lived everyday by the Golden Rule with great character charm and humor. She accepted praise with humility and grace. She had a unique quality of bringing the best out of people by her natural tendency towards kindness and giving dignity and respect in her encounters with others. A kind and generous listener, a person of action, willing to help in times of need.

She had a reputation as a “food pusher” as she loved to feed people and make sure they had enough. As a teenager, during WW II in Glasgow, she worked in a local food market, if a large family came in, she was known to slip a little extra food during the strict wartime rations allowed. She was a homemaker and worked as a cafeteria staff for USD 501. Jessie stayed in touch with her family abroad, enjoying visits home and welcoming extended family from Scotland, Canada and around the U.S. Jessie and her husband Jim enjoyed years of travelling across the U.S. attending various military reunions. For over 50 years, she loved her Canasta clubs, filled with gifted crafts, chats and of course, snacks. Jessie and Jim enjoyed camping, daily mall walks and mostly, large family gatherings with all the grandkids.

Jessie was a part of the Brewster Place Community for more than 15 years and enjoyed her time living there. Jessie and her family have had deep gratitude for the loving care she has received over the years from her peers and dedicated staff at Brewster Place.

She is survived by her two surviving children, James "Jim" (Linda) Cunningham, Donna (Glenn) White; grandchildren, Jayme Cunningham, Nickie Daneke, Joy Shavey, Travis Daneke, Chris White, Brian White, Jill Fowler and Matt Fowler; 10 loving great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and one on the way. Jessie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James C. Cunningham; and their youngest son, John Cunningham, along with her parents, Robert and Isabel (Fife) Purden and 9 siblings, Peggy Langlands, Peter Purden, James Purden, Frank Purden, Isa Cowie, Robert Purden, John Purden, Phemie MacFarlane and Rena Purden.

A funeral service will be held in honor of Jessie Cunningham’s life at 11:00 am on Tuesday, June 04, 2024 at the Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th, Topeka Kansas. Her family will greet relatives and friends one hour prior to the service at 10 am. Jessie will be laid to rest next to her husband Jim, at Mount Hope Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brewster Place Benevolent Fund, 1205 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66611, Elara Hospice, 901 NE River Road, Ste 101, Topeka, KS 66616 or to Alzheimer's Association, 3846 W 75th St, Prairie Village, KS 66208.

Jessie's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.

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