MaryLou J. Cunningham

MaryLou J. Cunningham (McPhee) of Abington, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on July 18, 2024, at the age of 84. She was raised and educated in Braintree before moving south and starting her family. Upon returning home with “her girls” years later, MaryLou founded her studio, Dance Workshop of Hanover, where she taught ballet for 42 years. After retiring from the dance studio, she would often be heard saying “I’d rather be dancing!” 

Kind and gracious, a wonderful woman with many talents, MaryLou found her love of dance as a child with Helen O’Brien. It was not long before she began a professional ballet career as a Harriet Hoctor dancer. MaryLou was an avid reader and enjoyed teaching and choreographing for her student performances as well as benefit shows for various charities. A lifelong student in her study of ballet, she was immensely proud to have earned her certification and to be registered to teach with the Royal Academy of Dance in London. Although dance and her students were an especially important part of her life, MaryLou deeply loved her family and every moment she spent with them.

MaryLou was the beloved daughter of the late Elmer and Edith McPhee. She was the loving mother to Wanda Cunningham and her husband Kurt Saltmarsh of Whitman, Kim Ahern and her husband Bob Butler of Abington, and Tamra Cunningham of Glendale, CA. She cherished her grandchildren Patrick and Monica, and her godchildren Jessica, Payton, and Avery. MaryLou is predeceased by her siblings Marjorie, Harold, and Robert, as well as her cousin Nancy. She also leaves behind her dear friends Marylyn and Derrell, along with step-grandchildren, nephews, extended family, and students.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a visitation in memory of MaryLou on Friday, July 26, 2024, from 4:00-6:00pm at the MacKinnon Funeral Home, located at 760 Washington Street, Whitman. A short service will immediately follow at the funeral home. Graveside services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.