Mrs. Dorothy Cunningham Obituary (1914

ATTLEBORO - Dorothy (Hannan) Cunningham passed away on April 22, 2017 at the age of 102. Dorothy was the second youngest of five children born in Attleboro to the late Thomas J. and Mary T. “Minnie” Keane Hannan from Limerick, Ireland. She was born at home on July 26, 1914, her parents wedding anniversary. She grew up in Attleboro at a time when there were three theaters and the jewelry factories had more work than they could handle. There were few cars, so she and her family walked everywhere including Capron Park for Sunday afternoon ice cream cones. After her 1932 graduation from Attleboro High School, she worked as a secretary for Jewel Cross. As the U.S. entered World War II, she moved to Washington, DC to work as a textile purchaser as part of the war effort. After the war, she moved to New York City as an executive secretary for Springs Mill. She moved back to the family home on Hazel Street in Attleboro in the early 1950s. She married Robert K. Cunningham in 1952 in Attleboro where they made their home and raised their family. They were happily married and spent summers in Mattapoisett until his death in May 1995. Dot enjoyed reading literature throughout her life and was a crossword puzzle wizard. She had a quick wit, enjoyed a good laugh, chocolate and a hot cup of tea. She was unfailingly kind and thoughtful to everyone. She is survived by her three daughters: Mary C. Sullivan (husband W. Michael) of Narragansett, RI, Susan J. Cunningham of Bangkok, Thailand, and Eileen C. Arkebauer (husband Timothy) of Lincoln, Nebraska. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: W. Matthew Sullivan of Worcester, Massachusetts, Peter C. Sullivan of Cummings, Georgia, Bridget Sullivan Garmisa of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sarah H. Arkebauer of New York City, Rachel A. Arkebauer of New York City, Andrew C. Arkebauer of New Haven, Connecticut, and one great grandson Kieran N. Garmisa. She was fond of her many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Thomas J. Hannan, Jr., Mary (Hannan) Brown, William E. Hannan, and John R. Hannan. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, April 28 from 9:30 -10:30 a.m., in the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, 20 Peck St., Attleboro, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 133 North Main Street, Attleboro. Burial will follow in the St. John’s Cemetery, Attleboro. All are invited to consider a memorial donation to the Attleboro Public Library, 74 North Main Street, Attleboro, Massachusetts 02703; please remember Dorothy by showing kindness to the next person you meet.