Elizabeth Lyons Cunningham

Elizabeth (Budgy) Lyons Cunningham died on Nov. 1st, 2026, at the age of 86. Born in Newark and raised in Montclair, NJ, Budgy was the fourth of six children born to Leo and Eleanor Lyons. Growing up in a rather unorthodox and madcap household, she was extraordinarily close to her five siblings.

An extremely bright student, Budgy skipped a year of high school and graduated from Marymount College in 1961. She studied philosophy and French and spent her junior year at the Sorbonne in Paris, an experience that inspired her love for travel and adventure. After graduation, Budgy taught at the Lacordaire School before marrying Richard James (Dick) Cunningham, on July 28, 1962, an event that she called the happiest day of her life. After several moves, they settled in Verona, NJ, where they raised their family.

An avid reader, crossword puzzler and competitive bridge player, Budgy possessed a keen intellect and a wonderful sense of humor and was beloved by all who knew her. She loved to travel and spent many memorable vacations with her friends and family–including extended stays in Nantucket, Ireland and Paris. Her home was a warm and inviting hub where she hosted countless informal gatherings, holidays and parties, including one very memorable wedding. Friends and family were known to drop by at any time and were always made to feel welcome.

She was a longstanding member of the Montclair Golf Club where she enjoyed playing tennis for many years and created many happy memories dining with good friends and playing bridge in the Ladies Locker Room.

Budgy is survived by her children Elizabeth (Liz) Cunningham Herring (Richard), Caroline Cunningham Brackett (Cory) and Richard James Cunningham III (Eva) and her grandchildren Olivia and Isabelle Herring and Quinn and Sage Cunningham. She is also survived by her sister, Virginia (Ginna) Lyons Ohlmuller, brother-in-law Ray Ohlmuller, sister-in-law Mary Jane Bittle Lyons, and sister-in-law Dorothy Cunningham Currie and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass will be held on Friday, Nov. 6 at 10:30 am at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 32 Lakeside Avenue, Verona, NJ.