Carolyn J. Moore Obituary (1944

Carolyn (Cunningham) Moore passed away on May 20, 2025, at Evenglow Rehabilitation in Pontiac, Ill. She was 80. Carolyn was born June 19, 1944, in Sioux City, Iowa, to William and Helen Mae Cunningham. She graduated from New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, Ill., and attended the College at Miami of Ohio and later attended Illinois State University. In 1964, Carolyn met the love of her life, Don Moore, on a blind date. The two were married on Aug. 19, 1966, in Winnetka while Don was on a three-day military pass. Shortly after the wedding, Don and Carolyn moved to Germany and began their new life together on the Karlsruhe Army base, where they lived for two years. They later moved to Pontiac in 1969, where Carolyn resided the remainder of her life. Carolyn was a teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Pontiac for many years. She also worked at the Lincoln Elementary School Library and the Encore Shop. While she was a teacher’s aid, Carolyn quickly learned that she loved working with students. She then returned to college to obtain a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1992 and completed her master’s in 1998. Carolyn was loved by many of her students, some of which have said that she was their “favorite teacher.” An avid card player, Carolyn was exceptional at Bridge. She loved conversing and socializing with friends and family. She was a “rule follower” and wanted to do everything with integrity. Carolyn will forever be missed for her ability to laugh no matter what. She loved chocolate, gimlets, and a bit of shoe shopping. She had a great time hosting fun Christmas parties with Don, whom she adored. Carolyn was involved with the Pontiac Jr. Women’s Club and Coterie Dance Club. She also volunteered with the library board at Pontiac Public Library and pledged to the Delta Zeta sorority in college. She is survived by her husband Don Moore; children Christopher (Marla) Moore; Kevin “Bemo” (Julie) Moore; Carey (Jaime) Moore; grandchildren Jacob, Josh, Bailey, Sam, and Finn Moore, and Craig and Kevin Gschwendtner; brother William “Butch” Cunningham; and sister Margee Mouratis. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents William and Helen Mae and sisters Barbara Turner and Claire Blanchard. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27 at Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, 903 W. Custer Ave., Pontiac, IL 61764. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28 at the funeral home. Graveside services will follow immediately at the South Side Cemetery, 400 S. Locust St. in Pontiac. All family and friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be submitted to Carolyn’s family at duffyfuneralhome.com or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.