Sister Agnes Cunningham, OP, of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, New York, died on May 7, 2016 in Siena Hall, Sparkill, NY.
Born in Brooklyn, NY on May 28, 1927, Agnes Marie was the daughter of James and Edith Thompson Cunningham. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1946 and received the name Sister James Edith. She professed her first vows in 1948 and her final vows in 1953.
Sister Agnes earned a BA in English, Manhattan College, 1954, and a MS in Biology, Catholic University, 1967.
Sister Agnes was a teacher in elementary and secondary education. She ministered in the Archdiocese of NY, and the dioceses of Brooklyn, Syracuse and Rockville Center. She taught at St. Theresa, Woodside, NY (1948-54); St. Mary, Fulton, NY (1954-55); Cathedral HS, New York, NY (1955-63); Albertus Magnus HS, Bardonia, NY (1963-68 & 1980-97); and Holy Trinity HS, Hicksville, NY (1968-80). In 1997 Sister Agnes served as the Director of Development at Albertus Magnus HS until her retirement in 2007. For countless summers Sister Agnes served as Administrator at Villa St. Joseph, Saugerties, NY where the Dominican Sisters vacationed.
Sister Agnes is predeceased by her parents, her brother- in-law Jack Reynolds and her nephew-in-law Steve Blanshan. She is survived by her sister Dee Reynolds, Massapequa, NY and her brother Jim (Rosemary) Cunningham, Sayville, NY. She will be missed by her nieces and nephews, Jeanne Blanshan, Merrick, NY, Clare (Al) Glenbocki, Bellmore, NY, Cathy (Bob) McKillop, Davidson, NC, Jack (Patty) Reynolds, Farmingdale, NY, Dr. Jim (Cathy) Cunningham, Stamford, CT, Jerry (Lori) Cunningham, Levittown, NY, Mary (Tom) Fay, Sayville, NY, Tom (Rita) Reynolds, Farmingdale, NY, Dan (Debbie) Cunningham, W. Islip, NY and many great nieces and nephews.
We will remember Sister Agnes for her commitment and dedication to the field of education and the wonderful impact she had on the lives of so many students. She was blessed in many ways and shared freely her many gifts and talents. Sister Agnes loved her congregation and her life as a Dominican Sister of Sparkill. We are grateful for her commitment of seventy years and the time she spent among us. We now ask the good Lord to give her peace among the company of the saints in heaven.