Aston, PA—Sister Claudia Cunningham, OSF, (88), died in Assisi House on November 19. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 63 years. Sister Claudia (Lillian Marie Cunningham) was born in Trenton, New Jersey, where she was a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish and a graduate of Cathedral High School. She entered the congregation in 1950 and professed her first vows in 1952. Her sister, Sister Madonna Marie Cunningham, was also a member of the congregation and is now deceased. Sister Claudia earned a B.A. in English from Villanova University and an M.A. in Religious Education from the Catholic University of America. She ministered primarily in education and in parish ministry.

Sister Claudia ministered for 29 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She taught at St. Aloysius School in Pottstown and at St. Hubert High School. She served in parish ministry at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Doylestown and at Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Philadelphia. During her last year at Epiphany Parish, she also did volunteer work in various places, including Fair Acres Geriatric Center in Lima, St. Ignatius Nursing Home in Philadelphia, and the Baby Cupboard at Catholic Social Services in Chester. She moved to Assisi House in Aston in 2006 and served in prayer ministry until her death.

Sister Claudia also ministered for 12 years in the Diocese of Wilmington. She taught at Holy Angels School in Newark and later worked in pastoral ministry at Immaculate Conception Parish in Elkton, St.
Anthony Parish in Wilmington, and the FHS Care Center.

In the Diocese of Trenton, Sister Claudia ministered for 11 years—all of them in education. She taught at St. Leo the Great School in Lincroft, St. Raphael School, and Blessed Trinity School.

During her six years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Sister Claudia taught at St. Stephen School in Bradshaw and at the Catholic High School of Baltimore. She also worked as a typist and driver for the sisters with whom she lived at St. Anthony Convent in Baltimore.

Additional ministry in education included teaching at St. Francis School in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and at Holy Spirit School in Jacksonville, North Carolina. In the Diocese of Charleston, she worked in parish ministry at St. Philip Parish in Lake City, South Carolina.

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, Aston, Pennsylvania, 19014 on Wednesday, November 25. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial at will be at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Claudia is survived by her brother Richard Cunningham, her nieces and nephews, and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.