Sister Mary Matthew Cunningham, PBVM, 98, died on Saturday, September 1, 2018, at Mount Loretto Motherhouse, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque IA. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, September 4, 2018, at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Chapel, Sisters of the Presentation, with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Key West IA. Friends may call from 4:00-8:00 pm on Monday, September 3, 2018, at Sacred Heart Chapel, where there will be a vigil service at 7:00 pm.

Sister Mary Matthew, daughter of John and Anna (Mahoney), was born Mary Catherine Cunningham on May 24, 1920 in Albert Lea, MN. She entered the Sisters of the Presentation from Clare, IA on September 8, 1938 and professed her perpetual vows on July 31, 1944. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loras College, Dubuque IA and studied music at the American Conservatory, Chicago IL.

Sister Matthew’s ministries took her to Ryan, Fairbank, Algona, Farley, Charles City, Storm Lake, Waukon, Mason City, and Whittmore, all in Iowa and Winner, SD, where for fifty-plus years, she taught piano, organ and instrumental music in Catholic elementary and high schools.

Sister Matthew retired to Mt. Loretto in 1995 and continued to share her musical talents for several years accompanying the sisters at Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours. She enjoyed music, word puzzles, and the Chicago Cubs. She celebrated her 80th Jubilee in August and reflecting on her years of religious life, Sister Matthew states, “This jubilee celebrates a life that brings me closer to God and more able to do God’s will.”

She is survived by the Sisters of the Presentation with whom she shared her life for 80 years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Don and sister, Sister Joan Cunningham, CSJ.

The Behr Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of the Presentation, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque, IA 52001 or online at: www.dubuquepresentations.org.