The Loretto Community recently honored the lives and legacies of two long-time Loretto Sisters who passed away last month.
Sr. Mary Ann (formerly known as Sr. Ann Michael) Cunningham, SL, and Sr. Mary (formerly known as Sr. Susan Jean) McAuliffe, SL, both served devotedly and extensively in the Denver area, with a number of educational and ministerial assignments in the local community. With more than 130 years of religious service between the two sisters, countless individuals were served because of their commitment to God and his Church.
Sr. Mary Ann Cunningham, SL
Born March 5, 1934, in Kansas City, Mo., to Nora (Plowman) and Connell Patrick Cunningham, she was received into the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross April 25, 1952. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, with a minor in Latin, in 1955 from Webster College, Webster Groves, Mo., a master’s in Latin in 1964 from St. Louis University, and a master’s in religious education in 1966 from Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y., with additional study at Union Theological Seminary and Loyola University in Chicago.
Sr. Mary Ann taught elementary, high school and college classes in Missouri, Wyoming, Colorado and Texas. In Denver, she taught at St. Mary’s Academy (1958-1961), Loretto Heights College (1967-1969), St. Anthony (1969 –1973), Catholic Central High (1973-1979) and Mullen High (1979- 1984). Among her other teaching assignments, she served at Loretto Academy in El Paso, Texas, (1962-1965) and Loretto Academy in Kansas City, Mo. (1966-1967).
Throughout her life, Sr. Mary Ann had a passion for justice and peace and was one of Loretto’s most eloquent speakers on social justice issues, particularly those involving women’s issues. She was a thinker, scholar and activist. She had a fine singing voice and a vast repertoire of religious and popular song. She had a keen sense of the ironic and a quick humor and regularly used these gifts to add lightness and perspective to the earnest work of social justice. For more than two-and-a-half decades, Sr. Mary Ann served as editor of “CouRAGE,” a newsletter of the Loretto Women’s Network which helped to educate Loretto members and others on issues supporting the Loretto Assembly principle “that God does not mean women to be subordinate to men but their full equals, and partners in the building and shaping of the world.”
Sr. Mary Ann served as Justice and Peace Coordinator in Loretto’s Denver office (1984-1987) and was a member of Loretto’s Executive Committee (1992-1994) and the Community’s Membership Staff (1996-2004). She was involved in anti-Vietnam War activities, traveled to Mississippi to help register disenfranchised African Americans and worked to change U.S. policy in Central America. Sr. Mary Ann was one of three women religious who helped dream up the “Peace Train” following a vigil to protest nuclear weapons. She spent time in jail for her civil disobedience in connection with the Rocky Flats protests in Colorado and for her part in making a huge sign reading “Stop Military Madness” to hang on defense contractor Martin Marietta’s fence. Over the years, Sr. Mary Ann stood firm against militarism and was present at multiple SOA Watch protests to witness to Loretto’s commitment to work for justice and act for peace.
Sr. Mary Ann retired in 2000 and moved to Loretto Motherhouse in 2021, where she continued to volunteer and act for peace until she died. Throughout her life, she remained a bright beacon, joyfully encouraging her community to welcome change, to challenge systems that oppress and to work steadily to empower others to respond with the Gospel message. She loved Scrabble, anagrams and writing wonderfully witty song parodies for festive occasions and was fluent in Spanish and Latin.
Sr. Mary Ann died at 90 years old on Oct. 8 at Loretto Living Center on the grounds of Loretto Motherhouse. She was in the 73rd year of her Loretto commitment.
Preceding her in death were her parents and Loretto Sr. Anna Marie Plowman, Sr. Mary Ann’s aunt. Among survivors is her niece, Sr. Cathy Smith SL, along with her sister Sally Smith and brother Edward Cunninghan of Kansas City, Mo.; nieces Shannon and Emily and nephew Pat; two great nephews; and a great-niece.
Sr. Mary McAuliffe, SL
Born Aug. 3, 1942, in Denver, Sr. Mary was the only child of Susan (Crowe) and Gerald Eugene McAuliffe. She was received into the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross on May 31, 1965. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English in 1964 from Loretto Heights College, Denver, a master’s in English curriculum in 1972 from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colo., and a master’s in educational technology in 1986 from Lesley College, Cambridge, Mass.
Sr. Mary taught for more than 27 years and served in parish ministry. She first taught children with learning disabilities at Havern School in Littleton, Colo., and Indianapolis Public Schools (1967-1968), then joined the elementary school faculty at St. Mary’s Academy in Englewood, Colo. (1968-1969). Sr. Mary then taught at Loretto Lower School (1969-1974) in Kansas City, Mo. Returning to Colorado, she taught in the Cherry Creek School District as an open classroom teacher at Mission Viejo School (1974-1980 and 1982-1984). Following a sabbatical, she returned to Cherry Creek School District to serve as a teacher and computer specialist (1986-1996). After that time, she served as a technology specialist in the Cherry Creek School District until her retirement. She was also an attentive caregiver for her parents and her housemate, Loretto Sr. Rosemary Fiori.
Of her life as a teacher, Sr. Mary noted in a 2023 interview, “My favorite thing was teaching because my mother was a Master Teacher, and I learned from her. I was recognized as a Cherry Creek teacher of the year, selected by the parents and the teachers, and recognized as an Apple Educator of the Year. I love teaching. I love the bright light that comes into their eyes when they get something and when they can keep it. It is a life-changing light. I could never say I liked this one or that one. I loved them all.”
She added she taught at both Catholic and public schools because she “believed that every child deserves to have the best education available.”
Sr. Mary continued to serve in parish ministry in Denver until she moved to Loretto Motherhouse at the end of 2015. She described life at Loretto Motherhouse as “essential and life-giving.” Sr. Mary took part in daily prayers and attended Mass with the Loretto Community. She also was a Eucharistic Minister. “What is important to me now,” Sr. Mary had said, ”is to be with my sisters in community and to continue to be of service in whatever role presents itself to me.” She was also a constant companion to the Living Center’s resident dogs.
Sr. Mary died at 82 years old on Oct. 5 at Loretto Living Center on the grounds of Loretto Motherhouse. She was in the 60th year of her Loretto commitment.
Preceding her in death were her parents. Sr. Mary is survived by two first cousins, John Loughry of Aurora, Colo., and Dan McCloskey of Arvada, Colo., and many other cousins too numerous to list. Sr. Mary’s remains will be returned to Denver to be buried at Mt. Olivet near her parents and Sr. Rosemary.
Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Loretto for their mission, c/o Loretto Motherhouse, 515 Nerinx Road, Nerinx, KY 40049 or as an online gift at www.lorettocommunity.org.
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