Mary Catherine Cunning

Valentine’s Day 2017, Mary Catherine Cunning left this world to be reunited with her parents, John Joseph Sr. and Sarah McGlone Cunning and her sister, Sally Cunning Anaclerio.  Born May 20, 1935, she was the oldest of 5 children.  Known as Mary Catherine in her youth, she took the nickname Cathy during her college and career years and was known as Mimi to her siblings and extended family. Mary Catherine was the original Mary Tyler Moore.  The iconic character from that Show could have been inspired by Mary Catherine.  She was the original, real life version of the modern woman and the epitome of independence.  She graduated from St. Angela Academy in 1953 and continued her education at the University of Miami graduating with a Bachelor’s in English.  Returning to her hometown of Aiken, she worked at the Savannah River Plant for several years before returning to college to pursue an Accounting degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.  Her attention to detail and strong work ethic led to a job with the Atomic Energy Commission in Schenectady, NY from 1965 – 1968.  She would joke that her years in NY were like living in outer Siberia.  Excelling in her career she received numerous promotions and rose to be the Department of Energy Chief Accountant Supervisor for 35 years in Washington, DC. Upon her retirement she returned to her beloved Aiken.  Mary Catherine’s spirit of leadership and wanting to help had her holding several Officer Positions and organizing many events for her church, St. Mary Catholic Church, New Neighbors and Town and Country.  She was someone you could count on.  She helped selflessly and without need of recognition. When she took on a task you would know it was done accurately and thoroughly.  She never forgot one of 8 nephews, 3 nieces, 7 grand nephews and 9 grand nieces’ birthdays.  Personalized cards were always sent no matter where they may have lived. She may have never married or had children of her own but she loved those around her.  Mary Catherine is survived by her sister, Elizabeth C. "Honey" (Robert) Segars, Florence, SC and two brothers, John J. (Fran) Cunning, Jr., Peachtree City, GA and Patrick D. (Maureen) Cunning, Aiken, SC and her brother-in-law, Michael (Sally) Anaclerio Sr., Aiken, SC and her many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews. Thanks to her coordinated efforts and sometimes insistence nature, we have pictures to remember or numerous family get-togethers and remember fondly what being a family really means.  She will be missed. The family greatly appreciates the love and comfort given to Mary by Trinity Hospital and Day Break. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, February 17, 2017 at the old St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church on Park Avenue with the Reverend Father Gregory Wilson officiating.  Final rites and Commendations will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mary Catherine’s nephews.   Honorary pallbearers will be all of Mary Catherine’s nieces, grand nephews and grand nieces, and the Town and Country Garden Club In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 438, Aiken, SC 29802. A rosary will be held at 6:00 PM Thursday evening after which the family will receive friends until 8:00 PM at SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801 Her online guestbook may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Catherine Cunning, please visit our flower store.