Dorothy Cunningham Ruehl

Dorothy Cunningham Ruehl, 91, of Indianapolis, Indiana, died peacefully on November 10, 2023, surrounded by her family. She will be terribly missed by her family and friends.

Dorothy was born October 10, 1932, in Nashville, Tennessee, to Horace V. Wells and Dorothy Ann Overall. She spent her youth in Clinton, Tennessee, with her beloved sisters, Katrina Counts, the late Natalie Smith, and the late Nancy Townsend. Dorothy had fond memories of growing up with her three sisters, whose deep friendships and laughter continued throughout their lives.

Dorothy graduated from Maryville College and bravely relocated to Indianapolis, where she knew no one. She worked at the Irvington Public Library, where she met her first husband, Thomas Edward Cunningham. She married Tom in 1958 and earned her Master's in Library Science from Indiana University. Dorothy and Tom had three children: Anne M. Glaser (Scott), Dr. James Cunningham (Catherine), and the late Thomas W. Cunningham. Dorothy continued to enjoy her friendship with her daughter-in-law Kristin Cunningham Baker after her son Tom died in 2011.

Dorothy worked as a librarian for decades, sharing her love of books with her children and grandchildren. Dorothy and Tom enjoyed their long marriage; however, Dorothy was widowed in 2006. After Tom died, she pursued her many interests, including family, golf, bridge, travel, line dancing, volunteering, and reading. She was a longtime member of Irvington Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Deacon, and a member of PEO., Chapter P.

In 2016, she met Edward H. Ruehl, whom she married in August 2017. She enjoyed the last eight years of her life with Ed, a wonderful husband.

Dorothy is survived by her husband Edward, her children Anne and James, her grandchildren Will, Anna, Natalie Cunningham, Connor and Christopher Cunningham, and Audrey, Max, and Elise Glaser.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Westminster Village North, Foundation Hall (Door 4), 11050 Presbyterian Drive, Indianapolis, IN 43236.

To view Dorothy's webcasted service, click the link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY5OTkzODY2OTI4MDkzMyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

Instead of flowers, memorials may be made to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation, Post Office Box 6134 Indianapolis, IN 46206.    https://indyplfoundation.org