Nancy Cunningham

Nancy J. Chivers Kohler Cunningham, age 67, died peacefully in her home on April 16, 2022, after a two-year battle with cancer.

Nancy was born on March 1,1955, a daughter of the late Boyd D. and Margaret Antolik Chivers. A 1973 graduate of Fairview High School, she earned her Bachelors of Science in Animal Science from Penn State University in 1977.

Nancy married her fellow outdoorsman Wayne Cunningham, in 2015, arriving at their ceremony on horseback. They spent 14 spirited years enjoying their love of the outdoors together. At Nancy’s side until the end, he survives 

Fiercely independent and active, Nancy was a master equestrienne who mentored many young men and women in the horse world. Her training for this career began at her father’s side, training horses with him on the family farm in Fairview. As an adult, Nancy did transformative work in equestrian programs throughout the region, serving as the Equestrian Program Director at the Andrews School in Willoughby, Ohio; the owner and manager for the Willows Horse Farm in Fairview; the Equestrian Program Director and Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Head Coach at Alfred University in New York and the IHSA Head Hunt Seat Coach at Lake Erie College in Ohio. She was named Regional President of the IHSA in 2012. Nancy became a United States Equestrian Federation “r” Hunters/Equitation Judge in 2013 and traveled extensively to serve as judge.

Nancy was exceptionally dedicated to developing young horsepeople, and she was very proud of her work with the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, which works to develop young riders in a variety of equestrian sports. She became President of this organization in 2018. The IEA awarded Nancy the Timothy J. Boone Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.

Funny, athletic, and brave, Nancy soaked up life. She spent hours hiking and camping in the woods with her beloved horse Gandalf and dog Maisy, bicycled hundreds of miles on overnight rides with her friends, and spent her summers at Presque Isle swimming, biking, and fishing. She loved to laugh and always gathered friends and family together. She shared all of this zest for life with the young people in her life, spending days adventuring with her grandchildren and great nieces and nephews, forever dedicated to being a truly GRANDmother and GREAT aunt.

In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by a brother, David G. Chivers, and a nephew, Colin Chivers.

In addition to her husband Wayne, Nancy is survived by her stepchildren, Kristen Cunningham Donohue (Thomas) of Oakton, VA and Bradley Cunningham of Pittsburgh; granddaughters Carmen Cunningham and Karen, Kate, and Rosemary Donohue; a sister, Darlene Chivers of Huntingdon, PA; a brother, Boyd Chivers (Lynn) of Candia, NH; sister-in-law, Mary Chivers; nieces and nephews Jennifer Grabmeier (Jeff), Emily Chivers Yochim (Chris), John Chivers (Melissa), Timothy Chivers, Allison Garnett, and Peter Chivers (Marissa); grand-nieces and nephews: Seth, Elliot, Oliver, Annalee, Isaac, Ella, Laila, Burke, Colin, Ivy, Rye, and Ziggy; and lifelong friends Ann Pompeani and Jean Spires.

The family thanks the professionals with UPMC Hospice for the generous care and support they offered Nancy and her family.

Friends may call at Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main Street, Girard, on Saturday April 30, 2022 from 11:00am until the time of service at 3:00pm with Reverend Mark Hoffman as celebrant. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/BurtonQuinnScott/  Burial will be private.

Memorials may be made to the ANNA Shelter, 1555 E. 10th St., Erie, PA 16511; the  Interscholastic Equestrian Association, PO Box 809, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022; or a charity of one’s choice.