Rita M. (Toomey) Cunningham of West Dennis, MA passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 18, 2021 at the age of 80. She was born on September 23, 1940, the daughter of the late Edward F. and Rita M. (Bratton) Toomey, and grew up in Charlestown and Reading, MA. She was the beloved wife of the late Edward L. Cunningham for over 50 years and was preceded in death by her only brother, Edward F. Toomey Jr. of Burlington, MA.

Rita will be remembered for her personable nature and fierce loyalty for family. Growing up in Charlestown, she was a competitive swimmer and was crowned Miss Charlestown in 1961. Her family moved to Reading and she attended Reading High School where she graduated in 1958. She married Edward in the summer of 1962 and started a family in Abington before moving to Bridgewater in 1972. She was the life of the party and would talk to anyone and everyone. She enjoyed dancing and music, especially country music and the steel guitar that her husband played his entire life. She was always the lifeguard for the neighborhood kids in the family pool in Bridgewater and would be the loudest cheerleader for her children and grandchildren on the sidelines at various sporting events. Her competitive spirit lives on in her children and grandchildren.

Rita is survived by her daughter and caregiver, Colleen Cunningham and Peter DeCamp, of West Dennis, MA, her son, Edward Cunningham and Jill Brancaccio, of Taunton, MA and her daughter, Kristin Norwood and her husband, John, of Collegeville, PA. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Alyssa Brancaccio and Meaghan Cunningham of Taunton and Caitlin, Laura and Sean Norwood of Collegeville, PA. Rita will also be remembered by her nephew, Patrick Toomey, and nieces Katherine Dulong and Suzanne McNamara and her husband, Justin, along with their mother, Lois (Rogers) Toomey.

 Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth, MA on Monday, July 26, 2021 from 4-6 PM.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Saint Pius X Church, Station Ave., South Yarmouth, MA  02664. Rita will lay in eternal rest beside her beloved husband at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.  Interment will be at 1:00 P.M.

Rita was such a lovely, gentle woman. I have many fond memories of her and Ed at house parties in the early days of “Concetta Drive”.

Colleen and Family, so sorry for your loss, your mother was a joy to be around at our VA gatherings. The entire staff of the Hyannis Clinic send our support during this difficult time. Monty

My prayers are with you and the family Colleen , loved and still love you’re mom and she will often call and check in on myself and the kids and ask how we were doing . It was my pleasure in taking care of her with Bayada as her home health aide ..

So sorry to hear of Rita's passing. My sincere condolences to her family. As a close friend and Reading High classmate of her brother Ed, I remember Rita fondly. A lovely lady with a beautiful heart. Rest in peace.

Deepest sympathies to Colleen and Pete and the entire Cunningham family. Rita was so sweet and the most vibrant woman in The world. She loved her family and you could see This in the way she spoke of you. She will be dearly missed by so many. We are better For knowing your Mom and having the share privilege Of meeting her. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Dear Colleen, I am so sorry for your loss of your mother. I always enjoyed her so much whenever I saw her. Sending you my sincere sympathy. Cheryl

May God be with her and join her and Edward together for Enterty. Loved both of them and miss them.

Our thoughts are with you all. A wonderful woman! God bless her and you! Beefer always spike so highly of her and now that I have met her I agree wholeheartedly!

My Condolences to all