Marcia Weimer Cunnyngham

Marcia Weimer Cunnyngham, a fouth-generation Taoseña, eldest member of Weimer/Gusdorf family, and a spirited and dear friend to many, passed peacefully in her home in Taos, New Mexico, on January 20, 2010. She was 76. Her passing followed a brief illness and was confirmed by her son, Roels Cunnyngham. Ms. Cunnyngham was the great-grandaughter of Alexander Gusdorf - one of the founding fathers of modern day Taos. Throughout her life she proudly carried on his legacy - like her parents and grandparents before her - through hard work, responsible land stewardship, major gifts of historic art to local museums, and through many generous and charitable contributions to the town, the county, and the greater Taoseños community. Ms. Cunnyngham was an aspiring sculptor and weaver, and was cherished for her wry sense of humor, generosity, and no-nonsense approach to life. Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1933, Ms. Cunnyngham spent the better part of her youth working and playing at Seven Falls, which was owned by her family. She and her brother were raised in Colorado Springs by parents Melvin S. and Frances (Walter), though frequently came to Taos to visit Grandmother Elsie Gusdorf in her old victorian home of just off the Taos Plaza, and their uncle and aunt Paul and Corrine Albright at their historic adobe home off Old Santa Fe Road. It was this historic adobe home where Ms. Cunnyngham eventually moved, raised her family, and spent the final 50 years of her life. In 1959 she married Jack Cunnyngham and moved to Taos full-time, where they had two boys, Rod and Roels (Roy). Together in 1963 they opened the R&R Truck Stop in Taos and named it after their two young sons. The R&R was a favorite local fixture in Taos throughout most of the 1960s, a down-home place where Ms. Cunnyngham would serve-up her famous hamburgers and a strong cup of coffee, and after work locals would gather to catch up on the latest Taos gossip. After R&R closed in 1970, Ms. Cunnyngham worked for a time at Wally Rod Plumbing and then the Molycorp mine, where she performed the unenviable task of doing payroll for the mine workers. In 1972 Ms. Cunnyngham got a job at Randall Lumber, and spent the next 15 years working side-by-side with, and gaining the hard-earned respect of, many well-known Taos personalities. In retirement, as her eyesight began to fade, Ms. Cunnyngham spent her time sculpting, caring for a menagerie of people and animals, and managing her business affairs in Taos. In the final 8 years of her life, with the assistance of her dear friends Peter Mackaness and Phil Carlson, she completed a remarkable 30 volume photo and document archive of major historical significance, detailing everyday life in Taos and her familys history dating back to the 1870s. In her final days, through her faith in god, her grace, dignity and humor, Ms. Cunnyngham helped those who loved her cope by telling them that while shed miss them, she knew in her heart she was off to a better place. Ms. Cunnyngham is preceded in death by her brother Melvin Weimer, and is survived by her loving sons Roy and Rod, daughter-in-law Joni, grandchildren Morgan, Ronnie, and Ben, her brothers children Reed, Sheri Dea, and Alex, her faithful pets Chaco and Buddy, and many loving and devoted friends. A private wake will be held for family and friends to celebrate the remarkable life of Ms. Cunnyngham.