MOHAWK - Rita M. Cunningham, a longtime village resident & patient at Valley Health Services in Herkimer, died Thursday, November 15, 2007. She was born in Frankfort, a daughter of the late Merton & Mary (Gibbons) Murray. Rita attended Frankfort schools, graduating with the class of 1940. Prior to World War II, she was employed at the Remington Arms Company. She enlisted in the Marine Corps Womens Reserve in March, 1944, serving at Parris Island & New River, North Carolina. She was united in marriage to Eugene Cunningham on August 3, 1946 at Blessed Sacrament Church, with Fr. James Brennock officiating. Mrs. Cunningham was a practicing Catholic, a member of the Ilion Hospital Guild, the former Blessed Sacrament Rosary Society & a past member of the Marine Corps League. Rita was happiest when she had her children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren nearby. She is survived by her husband, Eugene; her children & their spouses Eileen (Eugene) Kipper; Loree (Gareld) Gallagher; Maureen (Gary) Snyder; Shawn (Cynthia Prairie), and Rev. Mark Cunningham. Ritas grandchildren include Bill (Holly) McCoy, Ryan McCoy, Aaron Kipper, Mary (John) Gurtowski, Megan McCoy & Leah Cunningham. She is survived by two great-grandchildren: Matthew and Morgan. She is also survived by a sister, Margaret Yardley; a brother, Joseph Murray, a sister-in-law, Catherine Scoones & a brother-in-law Francis Cunningham. Rita is survived by her special nieces Carol Meinhardt & Clare Cunningham as well as a special nephew, David Grubner and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents, Rita was predeceased by her sisters Helen Neverett, Catherine Mosher, Jane Penner & a son-in-law, Bill McCoy. The family will receive relatives & friends on Sunday afternoon, November 18, from 3 pm until 7 pm at the Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer. Mrs. Cunninghams Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by her son, Fr. Mark Cunningham, on Monday, November 19 at 11 am at the Church of Blessed Sacrament, Mohawk. Interment will follow at the Mohawk Cemetery with full military honors. Those who desire to remember Rita in a special way are invited to consider the Blessed Sacrament Church in Mohawk. Envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home. The family has requested that flowers be omitted. Mrs. Cunninghams family is deeply grateful for the care and attention that she received from the staff at Valley Health Services.