Obituary
Dorothy Diane Wells Cunningham, Des Moines, died Dec. 11, 2014, from complications of a stroke. She was 80.
Dorothy was born in Tallahassee, Fl., in 1934. She is survived by her children Sam and his wife, Linda, Cunningham; Sally Diane and her husband Bob, Cook; Susan Page, and her husband, Joel, Benson; grandchildren Sarah Hartmann and Krystal Page and great grandchildren Sommer and Kashara. A grandchild, Ernie McGinn, preceded her in death.
Dorothy moved to Des Moines in 1974 and came to work at the Powell Chemical Dependency Center.
Upon leaving Powell she formed her own private practice as a professional astrologer and Shusta card reader and worked with people from all walks of life. Doctors, lawyers, Des Moines elite and just-plain-folks would enter her purple-bedecked sanctuary and find peace in the wisdom she divined from the stars and cards.
Dorothys compassion, insight and no-nonsense approach were not only part of her counseling work, but also a gift to friends and family. Her passion for healing was founded in her own battle with alcoholism. Her sobriety birthday was November 1, 1972, and from that moment forward she worked toward repairing the damaged relationships wrought by her addiction.
Her story gave authenticity to those who sought her counsel with alcohol and other drug dependencies, and her practice grew beyond addiction counseling to embrace anyone seeking to better understand themselves and their relationships.
Dorothy was a friend, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and an Aquarian.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 noon on the New Moon of April 18, 2015, at the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church, 3301 Ashworth in West Des Moines.
Dorothy was born in Tallahassee, Fl., in 1934. She is survived by her children Sam and his wife, Linda, Cunningham; Sally Diane and her husband Bob, Cook; Susan Page, and her husband, Joel, Benson; grandchildren Sarah Hartmann and Krystal Page and great grandchildren Sommer and Kashara. A grandchild, Ernie McGinn, preceded her in death.
Dorothy moved to Des Moines in 1974 and came to work at the Powell Chemical Dependency Center.
Upon leaving Powell she formed her own private practice as a professional astrologer and Shusta card reader and worked with people from all walks of life. Doctors, lawyers, Des Moines elite and just-plain-folks would enter her purple-bedecked sanctuary and find peace in the wisdom she divined from the stars and cards.
Dorothys compassion, insight and no-nonsense approach were not only part of her counseling work, but also a gift to friends and family. Her passion for healing was founded in her own battle with alcoholism. Her sobriety birthday was November 1, 1972, and from that moment forward she worked toward repairing the damaged relationships wrought by her addiction.
Her story gave authenticity to those who sought her counsel with alcohol and other drug dependencies, and her practice grew beyond addiction counseling to embrace anyone seeking to better understand themselves and their relationships.
Dorothy was a friend, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and an Aquarian.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 noon on the New Moon of April 18, 2015, at the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church, 3301 Ashworth in West Des Moines.
Services
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