MOSES LAKE — On Friday, a park bench and plaque were unveiled to commemorate Don and Mary Cunnington’s contributions to the Moses Lake community. Friends and family gathered outside the Surf ‘N Slide Water Park, formerly known as the Moses Lake Aquatic Center, to celebrate the couple.   

“They loved kids because they were kids at heart,” Dawni Cunnington said.   

The Cunningtons made an impact that spanned decades, according to many who took the time to share their favorite stories of the couple. In addition to family attending the event, many community members who attended were once swim students of Mary at the Aquatic Center, worked as lifeguards or were babysat by one of the Cunningtons’ six children.   

Some told stories from working in the Aquatic Center, where Mary was instrumental in finding their soulmates. Others recounted their efforts to support those seeking refuge when Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980. According to several accounts, the Cunningtons helped over 500 travelers find shelter at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.  

Event organizer Rich Victor saw an opportunity to recognize the Cunningtons’ dedication to the community.   

“You wake up in the morning, you had a good dream, a good memory of childhood past. That's kind of what it was, with thinking of all the things that she had done for us as kids in the ’70s, ’80s and the ’90s, then I started thinking no one's really done something to acknowledge that,” he said.  

After organizing a fundraiser to cover the $2,700 cost of the bench and plaque, they managed to hit their goal within four days, Victor said. Dawni said the Aquatic Center was the perfect placement for the bench and plaque, as it was Mary’s pride and joy. According to her, Mary played a significant role in opening it.   

When Mary was coaching the Manta Rays swim team at the Swedburg pool, she began to develop her vision for the Aquatic Center.   

“Once she set her mind to something, she wasn't going to back off, and she really believed that the Aquatic Center would benefit Moses Lake,” Dawni said.

In addition to coaching the Manta Rays, Mary also taught swimming lessons to children with disabilities and infants in her backyard pool. She also hosted a radio show called the Moses Lake Park and Recreation Report, where she would update the community on upcoming local events. 

Victor remembered the community days at McCosh Parkthat Don and Mary would put together. Live music, free swimming and fun contests like bubble gum blowing or finding butterscotch candies in a haystack would be some of the main attractions. He said those events were instrumental in getting children outside during the summer and enjoying the summer weather when school was out.   

For anyone who attended Friday's event, they all said the Cunningtons adopted them. Dawni said Mary was viewed by many as a community mom when they were kids.   

“The thanks goes to the (Cunnington) kids, because they give up their parents to thousands of community kids. Back in the day, they kind of had to split their parents with the rest of us,” Victor said.   

The extended family of the Cunningtons was moved by the turnout of community members who had fond memories to share of their grandparents.   

“To know that so many other community members love and respect them the way that we do is heartwarming and brings so much comfort in their absence,” their granddaughter, Sheena Moore, said. “I hope that with the bench being present, the community will continue to remember them, talk about them, share memories of them and live their lives full of love and grace for others like my grandparents did.”    

    Mary, left, and Don Cunnington were celebrated on Friday outside of the Moses Lake Aquatics Center. Their daughter Dawni Cunnington said the two were inseparable and that Don was the wind beneath Mary’s wings.
  

    Rich Victor gives his opening remarks at Fridays event to celebrate Don and Mary Cunnington. Victor said it only took four days to raise enough money to buy the park bench and plaque.
  

    Moses Lake Mayor Dustin Swartz speaks at the celebration of Don and Mary Cunnington. Swartz said for community members to get this level of recognition is rare and spoke about the Cunningtons’ impact on the community.
  

    Pablo DeLeon shares some of his favorite stories of Don and Mary Cunnington. Several other community members and family of the Cunningtons shared fond memories of the couple.
  

    From left: David Cunnington, Mary Cunnington, Rich Edinger, Daniel Cunnington. The Cunnington family paddling in a canoe near their home after Mount St. Helens erupted.
  

    Debi Cunnington Lumpkin shares memories of her parents at Friday’s event. Lumpkin said she hopes the community continues their legacy of showing up for each other.
  

    David Cunnington shares his personal memories of his parents at Friday's event. Each family member received copies of the document declaring Sept. 5 as Don and Mary Cunnington day.