Mary Alice Cunningham, assistant professor emerita of nursing at Saint Anselm College, died Tuesday, May 26, 2009.
Cunningham, of Newton, Mass., taught at the college for over 46 years. After receiving a B.S. in nursing in 1959 and an M.S. in nursing in 1960, both from Columbia University’s Teachers College, she became one of the original faculty members of Saint Anselm College’s nursing department. During her tenure, Cunningham taught psychiatric nursing and supervised nursing students at the Edith Norse Rogers Bedford Veteran’s Administration, in Bedford, Mass.
She also was one of the first nursing faculty members to teach in the humanities program. From 1985 until her retirement in 2008, she enjoyed the challenge of teaching “Portraits of Human Greatness.”
In addition to her dedication to teaching, Cunningham served on a number of college committees and was a life-long friend of the college.
She is survived by her sister Barbara Cunningham of Hollis, N.H. and brother, John Cunningham of Brockton, Mass.
Visiting hours will be Monday, June 1 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Blackington, Conroy, and Hayes Funeral Home, at 1479 Washington Street, West Newton, Mass. A funeral mass will follow in St. Bernard’s Church in West Newton at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in Newton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Mary Cunningham’s memory to Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive box# 1738, Manchester, N.H. 03102.