Sarah Cunning Anaclerio

AIKEN – Mrs. Sarah (Sally) Cunning Anaclerio, 73, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 12. 2010 at her home following an extended illness. Mrs. Anaclerio was born in Aiken on February 13, 1937, to the late John Joseph and Sarah McGlone Cunning . She graduated from St. Angela Academy and the St. Francis’ Hospital School of Nursing in Charleston, SC. Following graduation, she worked briefly in Charleston before returning to Aiken and working as an operating room nurse at the Aiken County Hospital. In September 1962, she married Lt. Michael Anaclerio, USAF and became a military wife establishing homes in Florida, Montana, Missouri, Holland, and Alabama. Following her husband’s retirement from the Air Force in 1977, they retired to her home town of Aiken. As a wife and Mother, Sally led an active community life as a homemaker and hostess. As a member of St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, she enjoyed arranging Church receptions and overseeing the decoration of the Church each Christmas. She was a strong supporter of St. Angela Academy and the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy could always count on her help in achieving their goals for the school and its students. She was an active member of the Country Gardners Garden Club and served as Co-President for two years. In addition, she was instrumental through the Garden Council with the renovation of the Doll House at Hopelands and took care of its holiday decorations each Christmas. She was involved in many fund raising and charitable activities and gave tirelessly of her time in providing Meals on Wheels and transportation to treatment facilities for cancer patients. She was an active member of the Catholic Women’s Association, the Aiken Symphony Guild, and in May 1994 was one of five Aiken women honored by the Aiken Junior Woman’s Club for National Women’s History for their contributions to the quality of life in Aiken. During this time, then State Senator Tommy Moore appointed her to an Aiken County Committee to recommend county roads for paving. Mrs. Anaclerio is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Michael; a daughter Karen Marie (Mark) Pearson, Indian Land, SC; two sons, Michael (Leslie) Anaclerio, Jr., and Stephen John (Cheryl) Anaclerio, both of Aiken; six grandchildren: Michael Anaclerio III, Lilly Katherine Anaclerio, John Patrick Pearson, Sarah Grace Alexandra Pearson, Richard Stephen Anaclerio and Ryan Michael Anaclerio; two sisters: Mary Catherine Cunning, Aiken, and Elizabeth C. (Robert) Segars, Florence, SC; two brothers: John Joseph (Fran) Cunning, Jr., Peachtree City, GA, and Patrick Donald (Maureen) Cunning, Aiken. In addition, she is survived by six nephews and two nieces. A rosary will be recited at 12:30 PM Tuesday November 16, 2010 in the church, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 PM at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church with Monsignor Rick Harris, Monsignor James Carter and Reverend Father James L. LeBlanc celebrant. Final rites and Commendations will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Len Cherry, Robert L. Crowley, Philip Gagnon, Ted Giard, Michael LaBoone, Roger LeDuc, and Richard Sullivan. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Country Gardners Garden Club and members of the Catholic Women’s Association. The family wishes to express their thanks and appreciation to Regency Hospice and Restcare caregivers, especially Nora Dover, Sheila Sisson, Diane Prince, Gail Maguna, Deloris Tyler, Rashalie Johnson and Elizabeth Owens for the loving care given to Mrs. Anaclerio. Memorials may be directed to the St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church Building Fund, P.O. 438, Aiken, SC 29802. Mrs. Anaclerio's online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com A prayer service will be held at 6:30 PM Monday evening and the family will receive friends from 7:00-9:00 PM at SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sarah Cunning Anaclerio, please visit our flower store.