Obituary of Esther M. (Tanzella) Cunningham

Esther M. (Tanzella) Cunningham, 79 BEVERLY – Esther M. (Tanzella) Cunningham, 79, beloved wife of Gordon Cunningham, died peacefully on Friday evening April 6, 2018 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, following a brief illness, while in the comforting presence of her family. Born in Beverly, she was the daughter of the late John and Angelina (Tomeo) Tanzella. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Beverly, and was a lifelong resident of the city and patron of the arts. Mrs. Cunningham worked as a teacher for IBM Office Machines in Boston where she met her husband. They married in June of 1963 and welcomed a son in the summer of 1971. She later she worked as a Teller at Beverly National Bank and then as a Bookkeeper for over 20 years. Esther enjoyed living a quiet life in the company of family and friends who valued her sincerity, patience, and grace. In her spare time she attended numerous productions at the North Shore Music Theater and donated her time to St. Alphonsus Church of Danvers. She was also an accomplished writer and storyteller, writing many newsletters for the Bank, as well as short stories and poems. She is survived by her husband Gordon Cunningham of Beverly, with whom she shared 55 years of marriage; a son Gordon Cunningham., Jr. and his wife Aimee of Beverly; two grandchildren, Taylor and Gordon Cunningham, III of Beverly; a surviving brother, Vito Tanzella of Beverly, and many nieces and nephews. She was sister of the late Nicholas Tanzella of Beverly and the late Pam Lalikos of Springfield. A private Family Funeral Service was held in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, Peabody.