Maryann (Griswold) Cunniff

Maryann Cunniff, of Sturbridge, MA, passed away on January 29, 2025 after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her family.

Maryann was born on February 28, 1943 in Taunton, MA, to Janet Shea Griswold (Reese) and Edward Griswold. She grew up in Taunton and attended local schools, and after graduating she completed a certificate course at Miss Farmer’s School of Cookery in Boston, MA.

In June of 1964, she married James Cunniff, her high school sweetheart. Together they moved to Keene, NH, where their daughter Catherine was born, and later in 1972 to Sturbridge, MA, where their daughter Elissa was born. Maryann and James continued to live together in the same home in Sturbridge until her death.

Maryann was a caregiver, with true generosity of spirit. She began at the age of 11 when her brother John was born; she later said he was her practice baby. Many years later, John’s daughter Jackie became her practice grandchild. She cared for everyone in her life in as many ways as she could think of: her parents, her husband, her extended family, and especially her daughters, who were her pride and joy. She cared for her home and her garden, pouring her creativity and love into making them beautiful, serene spaces for herself and her family.

Her professional work also focused on caregiving. In her younger days she worked as a cook, and later she became a home health aide and caregiver for the elderly. She cared deeply for her clients and formed close bonds with them.

After retirement, her caregiver instincts continued to drive her, always helping the people in her life. Her family had grown to include grandchildren and grand-nieces and nephews, who she loved to do crafts and cooking projects with, as well as baking fun custom cakes for their birthdays. Her generosity extended to everyone she met, often sharing homemade gifts with people who had touched her life. She spent winters knitting sweaters and squares to send to a charity for orphaned children in South Africa.

Maryann loved dancing, taking weekly lessons for 26 years as an adult. She also loved classic musicals from Broadway and Hollywood, and relaxing by immersing herself in her favorite television shows.

Maryann is survived by her husband James, her daughters Catherine (Robert) Brooks of Leverett, MA, and Elissa (Mark) Porter of Barrington, NH, her grandchildren Robert and Ava, her sister Nancy Flynn of North Chesterfield, VA, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation hours will be held Friday, February 7th, 2025 from 9:30-10:45 am at Sansoucy Funeral Home in Southbridge, MA, followed by a funeral mass at Notre Dame Church in Southbridge. Interment will follow at St Anne’s Cemetery in Sturbridge, MA. Colorful attire is requested for the celebration of Maryann’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Food Collaborative of Sturbridge.

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