Renee Denise Cunigan-Marion

Renee Denise Cunigan-Marion, 65, of Danville, passed away on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. She was born in Chicago, IL on July 21, 1956, the daughter of Lola Cunigan-Lewis (nee Porter) and Nathaniel Cunigan. She married Dennis R. Marion; he survives.

Renee is also survived by her mother; children, Jameson Cunigan, Anjenee Marion, Ja’Nelle Marion; stepdaughter, Kimberly Marion; grandchildren, Kai Yanae Cunigan, Jameson Yeshua Brunton, Jamie Anne Yamina Brunton; sisters, Rosemary Cunigan, Cynthia Harvey, Sylvia Walker, Stephanie (Andrew) Harbison, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, co-workers, and so many great people from Holy Family Parish in the 28 years of membership.

She is preceded in death by her father, Nathaniel Cunigan, brothers, Nathaniel Cunigan Jr., Gregory Cunigan, and brother-in-law, Bernard Harvey.

Renee enjoyed listening to music and learned how to play the clarinet. She loved dancing and was a pom-pom girl in high school. Renee became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Inc., Zeta Nu Chapter, on April 23, 1977. She was an avid bowler and the life of the party.

Renee grew up in a world riddled with trials and tribulations, but she saw potential. Education and knowledge meant everything to her. She was the first to graduate from college and receive a master’s degree in her family. She began her bachelor’s degree at Northern Illinois University and finished at Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL. She received her master’s degree at the University of Illinois- Champaign-Urbana. Renee always wanted to help people and that started at a young age while caring for her siblings. She was 1 of 7 children growing up on the south side of Chicago. Helping those who were misunderstood or underrepresented even translated into her work. Her career started at the Illinois Youth Center of St. Charles where she worked juvenile parole and did the same in Cook County. She then worked as a counselor for adults at the Robinson Correctional Center and also at the Danville Correctional Center.  She began working for the Danville Department of Children and Family Services in 1994 and retired last year, in August. That job fulfilled her in so many ways, because she saw a piece of herself in those kids. A sense of belonging, wanting to know love in the healthiest ways, and just deserving a chance at a good life. To know her, was to love her. She was always so vibrant, loud, and unapologetically herself. She would give her last without question to those in need. She wanted to be a pillar of the community that she chose to settle down in. She gave to any person who had a cause that approached her, even against her husband’s wishes. Her two favorite quotes in those situations, “You’re not gonna tell me how to spend my money;” and “Dennis don’t call no shots!” She wanted the best for her children, no matter the cost. Sometimes that meant she put her needs on the backburner, but she only wanted to give them the room to be great.

“Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew

Where I bit off more than I could chew

But through it all, when there was doubt

I ate it up and spit it out

I faced it all, and I stood tall

And did it my way.”

Visitation and Omega Rho Ceremony will be held from 9:30am to 10:30am on Friday, May 13, 2022, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, Illinois 61834. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Friday, May 13, 2022, at Holy Family Catholic Church 444 E. Main St. Danville, IL 61832.

Please join Renee’s family in sharing memories and photos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com  

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