In Loving Memory of Caren Cunningham
Ms. NJ Leather, 2009
It is with deepest sadness that we must share with you that
Caren Cunningham, our reigning Ms. New Jersey Leather
2009, passed away this morning at the Jersey Shore University
Medical Center near her Asbury Park, NJ home. She was 51
years old. Caren was an enthusiastic member of the Lesbian
Sex Mafia (LSM), co-founder of TRIBE - NJ's LeatherDykes,
a member of the Sirens MC, a founding member of NJ
Andromeda, a close associate of Crusty Old LeatherDykes
(COLD), and a very, very good friend. During the past year
she also volunteered at several community events including
Philadelphia's Liberty Gay Rodeo, Asbury Park's First Friday
Leather Nights, and served as a DM for The Floating World.

She was admitted to the hospital one week ago and diagnosed
with advanced cancer. Her fiercely devoted girlfriend Cheryl
(LSM's Party Officer, Sirens MC founding member/incoming
VP), and Caren's mother and brother were with her when she
passed.

Caren was an expert horsewoman and dog trainer, biker dyke
and leather top. She was employed as a chef for The Center in
Asbury Park, a voluntary service organization and supportive
residential facility for those living with HIV/AIDS. She had a
heart of gold and a wonderfully wicked sense of humor. She
gave freely of her time and energy to all she knew, loved her
friends unquestioningly, and stood her ground against any
adversity.

She was quoted in the Summer 2008 issue of The Jersey Gaze
magazine, published by Jersey Pride, Inc., which featured NJ's
Leather Community on the cover as its lead story…

"I have been into leather my entire life, starting in my early
teens with motorcycle clubs and the BDSM lifestyle. Over the
years, as leather has become more defined in the community
for womyn, I have been proud to call myself a leatherdyke.
Having come up through the ranks and having earned my
leathes, it is an honor to be called a leatherwomyn. I am proud
to stand with my Sisters and Brothers in the Leather
Community."

Caren, it was indeed an honor and a privilege to have stood
with You.
SUNDAY, DEC. 21, 2008
Buckley Funeral Home
509 2nd Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712,
tel: (732) 775-2455
Visitation:  12:30 to 1:30 pm
Memorial Service . . . 1:30-2:30 pm
A bagpiper will play Caren's favorite song, Amazing Grace, and
other selections.
Followed by a reception at Cruisin', 911 Kingsley St., Asbury Park.
tel. (732) 776-7002.

Please join us and bring a dish to share. Our heartfelt thanks
to Joe & Rob of Cruisin'...their official closing date was 12-20-08.
Tribe will be accepting donations to help defray expenses.

In lieu of flowers...
Details are being worked out for a charity that was near and dear
to Caren's heart, and that she was very excited about launching
as Ms NJ Leather 2009. Caren recently shared her desire to
devote herself to a special charity that she thought would make a
difference in peoples' lives: The Heifer Project International.
She was really quite enthused about the idea. So, in her memory,
we'd like to raise $500 to purchase a heifer. We'll talk about it at
LSM's Holiday get-together on Saturday at the legendary
Stonewall Inn in NYC. We'll talk about this again on Sunday at the
memorial service in Asbury Park. We haven't worked out the
details yet, but together, as leatherdykes, and with the help of
others in our community, I know we can do this.

For the finer points, click on....
http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.204586/
December 17, 2009
Memorial Services