Mary A. Cunningham

Rockford, IL
Mary A. Cunningham, 79, died Thursday, Nov. 4, 2011.

She was born Dec. 16, 1931, in St. Augustine, FL to William Allen and Marie (Cash) Rowand.

She married Charles James Cunningham in Rockford, IL on July 25_,1953.

Mary graduated from St. Josephs Academy in St. Augustine, FL in 1949 where she was a member of the 1948 Girls State Catholic High School Basketball Championship Team and was voted Best AllAround her senior year. In 1952 she received her Nursing Degree from St. Anthony Hospital School of Nursing, Rockford, IL where she was class president.

She was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church. Former President Holy Family Womens Guild; Former President of St. Annes Center Auxiliary; Rockford Deanery Council of Catholic Women 1996 Woman of the Year from Holy Family Parish; Longtime volunteer at St. Elizabeth Center, Walter Lawson Childrens Home, Holy Family School and Holy Family Parish Center.

She was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, baking, playing in numerous Bridge groups and traveling the world with her family and the members of FIC.

Survived by her loving and devoted spouse of 58 years, Jim Cunningham; daughters, Catherine Kitty (Cliff) Leiser of Rockford, IL, Mary Elizabeth (Scott) Thompson of Austin, TX, Julie (Brian) Robinson of Shawnee, KS, Margaret Meg (Ron) Huggins of Winnebago, IL; grandsons, Cliff and Charlie Leiser of Rockford, IL, Greg and Will Thompson of Austin, TX, Jack and Sam Robinson of Shawnee, KS and J.J. Huggins of Winnebago, IL, brothers, John L. Rowand of St. Augustine, FL, James C. (Winnie) Rowand of Jacksonville, FL and Carolyn E. Fiduccia of Rockford, IL and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, sister Margaret DeBow, brothers, William Allen Rowand, Jr., George duPont Rowand, Charles Anthony Rowand and grandson Thomas Andrew Huggins.

Special thanks to all the medical staff that provided care for Mary over the last 3 months.

Visitation from 5 to 7pm followed by recitation of the Rosary at 7pm on Monday, November 7 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford. Visitation at 9am followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10am Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford. Entombment in Calvary Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to OSF St. Anthony College of Nursing or Provena St. Anne Center.nbsp;