Mary Agnes Cunningham Lord flew away on the first day of Autumn after traveling ninety-six times around the sun. She was born in the village of Drumcliffe at the foot of Ben Bulben mountain, County Sligo, Ireland on Sept. 19, 1926. The daughter of Patrick and Bridget Cunningham, she was the oldest of eight children who survived. At the young age of seventeen she left her home and family to train as a nurse in England during the war in 1943. There she met her future husband, Eamon, also from Ireland, then an American soldier. They married and came to America settling in Baltimore, MD where Eamon was a mechanical engineer and she a homemaker and there raised her family of four children until they were in school. In 1957 the family moved to Lynn, MA. where she continued her nursing career. Her lifelong passion was caring for and defending others.  Mary knew the meaning of work, the meaning of love, and the meaning of compassion. She was a frequent contributor to local newspapers championing causes for decency and defending marginalized groups. Washing the feet of the poor was not just a symbolic act. When not allowed to distribute used clothing at a shelter she would open the trunk of her car on the street to do so. She took the time to listen to their stories offering them the dignity they deserved, defending the idea that all were children of God and deserving to be treated with respect.

Mary lost her husband Eamon in 1979 when he was 69 and she 53. She traveled extensively then, visiting her four children around the country and family abroad. Trips to Ireland, with her son Michael, and Japan with Robert were among her cherished memories. In 2001 Mary moved to Havenwood-Heritage Heights in Concord, NH.

Mary always went right to the top to speak with the person in charge and you can count on it; she is doing that now. Her faith gave her, her strength, and it was by the ocean where she meditated. Never would she live anywhere but by the sea. She loved to hear the waves, smell the salt air and walk the beach in search no matter the weather. If the world ever wonders where all the seashells are they should talk to Mary.
Always up for a game, she was a ferocious Scrabble player especially while enjoying a wee dram of Irish whiskey and certainly now is partaking in a bit of the angel's share. She loved to travel and meet people, bird watching, long walks on a cold windy beach, reading poetry and studying spiritual writings which she loved to discuss  with family and friends. She enjoyed entertaining and always set out her finest chinaware the night before a guest arrived. Formal presentation was essential. Tea was not tea unless it was hot and served in a china cup.

Mary loved glamor, enjoying to dress to the nines on a daily basis and would never consider opening a door without having her lipstick on. The depth and extent of her wardrobe was a marvel. My father would say "She is a piece of work!"

Mary Agnes was a wonderful person. She now walks silently beside her two daughters Frances (CO) and Elizabeth/Ken CA, her two sons Michael (CA) and Robert /Luann (MA), and her three grandsons Nathan/Michelle (C0), Michael/Micheley (AK) and Matthew (CA), her great grandsons Mikey and Leif (CO), and our extensive family in Ireland and England.  We will all miss her greatly. Mary was predeceased by two brothers and two sisters in Ireland and England. She leaves the world better than she found it. What would we have been without her!  In honor of Mary's spirit in lieu of flowers, she asks you to support the work at "My Brother's Table" in Lynn, Love your neighbor (and she would add, "yes, that means everyone, you can't choose"), do random acts of kindness, and most certainly "Enjoy the Moment".