If Tammy Cunningham ever wondered whether anyone truly appreciated the boundless generosity of her husband, Noel, all she had to do was look around the Buell Theatre on Thursday night.
The attendees ranged from captains of industry to former servers at his restaurant, Strings, and they all had fond recollections of the beloved restaurateur who took his own life in December after struggling with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and depression for about a year.
“This brings so much joy to my heart,” said Tammy, as folks including Steve Farber, Andrew Romanoff, Walt Imhoff and David French took their seats for a music-filled celebration that preceded a $150-per-ticket walkabout supper in the nearby Seawell Grand Ballroom.
“I just wish Noel was standing here beside me to witness the love that he might not have realized surrounded him. He was an extraordinary man with an extraordinary heart, and I loved him dearly.”
Even those who were out of town could be a part of the two-part event, thanks to technology. Mike Mills, founder of RPM Valet and one of the nine who planned the event, used Skype to share parts of the evening with his brother, Jay, who was vacationing in Fiji. Jay Mills owns Jay’s Valet, which provides car-park services at Strings, the Denver restaurant that Cunningham owned and operated for 25 years.
Gov. John Hickenlooper recalled lunching at Strings shortly after being elected mayor of Denver. “Noel found that hilarious, but he congratulated me, lectured me, and then as he was walking away to go back into the kitchen, he turned back and asked, ‘By the way, how’s your lunch?’ “
Other speakers were Hannah Merten, who organized 4 Quarters for Kids at Cherry Creek High School and traveled to Ethiopia with Noel and Tammy; Constance Rulon, one of those who enjoyed the Mother’s Day brunches that Noel hosted for elderly, low-income women with no family in the area; Brent Weaver of the Cunningham Foundation; and the Very Rev. Peter Eaton, rector and dean of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, where Cunningham’s funeral was held almost two months ago.
Between the speakers, there was entertainment by the Colorado Children’s Chorale, Lil Sum’n Sum’n and The Silhouettes.
Proceeds from the dinner at Seawell Ballroom will go to the Cunningham Foundation.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com
