Edith Cunningham, 92, Former Longtime Wilmington Resident

Obituary Courtesy Nichols Funeral Home

WILMINGTON, MA - Edith Cunningham (McManus), age 92 of Lady Lakes, FL, formerly a long-time resident of Wilmington, died peacefully on December 15, 2015.

Edith was born on December 7, 1923 in Wilmington, MA; she was the dear daughter of the late James and Marijane (Barry) Cunningham.

Edith was the beloved wife of the late Thomas Cunningham, devoted mother of Marijane Blunk of California, Fr. Gerard Cunningham of Florida, and William Cunningham & his wife Stephanie of Rockport. Loving “Grammie” of Kiera Blunk, Lucas, Jenna, and Samuel Cunningham, dear sister of Helen Fish of California.

Edith was the Director of Wilmington Senior Center for 20 years and was instrumental in the creation of the Buzzell Senior Center. When Edith started her mission the Senior Center was just a storefront in Wilmington Plaza; she spearhead the movement to relocate the center to the Buzzell Elementary School which was an abandoned and rundown elementary school. at the time. Edith rallied the town to support the renovation, and she “cajoled” people to volunteer their time to renovate the school. Edith tirelessly oversaw its design and construction and in the new center she instituted numerous programs that benefitted thousands of Wilmington’s elder citizens. Under her leadership the Wilmington Senior Center became a shining example to other towns and cities in Massachusetts as to what a fully functioning Senior Center could and should be.

Family and friends will gather for a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, on Friday, April 1 at 10 a.m. Interment to follow in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn.