Patricia Kelley Cunningham of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. She was beloved wife, devoted Catholic, gifted scholar, passionate teacher and faithful friend.

Patricia was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, to Arthur R Kelley and Ileen Dunphy. She was a 1953 graduate of Brockton High School and went on to attend Brown University in Providence, RI, graduating in 1957. She spent her junior year abroad in Fribourg, Switzerland with the program from the Dominican University in Illinois. She would go on to spend further time studying abroad throughout her life, including at the College of Saint Catherine's Institut de Langue Française, in Rennes, France.

After her undergraduate studies in English at Brown, Patricia received two Master degrees in French; one from Marquette University and one from Middlebury College. A lifelong learner, Patricia was devoted to her studies. She spent most of her vacations studying in France, Spain, and Italy and took further graduate classes at Bryn Mawr College and the University of Delaware.

It was whilst they were both at Marquette University that "Patsy Kelley" or "PK" met her husband, George Cunningham. That first meeting, on a toboggan date in 1961, began a 61 year run of laughs, love and devotion for PK and George.

For 40 of those 61 years, Patricia taught French, Spanish, Italian and English to her beloved students. Locally, she taught World Languages at Wilmington Friends School, The Tatnall School, St. Edmond's Academy, and Archmere Academy. At Archmere, she established an innovative World Languages Department, second to none. Her teaching methods were far ahead of their time in their integration of language, history and culture. Her student/faculty class trips to Europe set the standard for years to come.

From 1981 through 1988 she was chair of Archmere's Foreign Language Department. After her tenure was complete, she shared her teaching expertise as Supervising and Mentor teacher, establishing a program which guided new and developing teachers. She supported a generation of teachers to find their unique voice in the classroom. Her sustained legacy of high standards and preparation continue to impact the learning of students and teachers today.

After retiring, she continued to share her teaching skills with anyone who asked for her help.  During that time, her expertise was sought in the redesign of the Spanish curriculum at Saint Edmond's Academy. For several years she taught Spanish there to fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students, helping interview and mentor new teachers for the seventh and eighth grade middle school program.  Through her international contacts, Patricia helped put in place a Spanish immersion summer program at the Escuela Idiomas de Nerja, in Spain. The program proved popular with students and parents alike.

Patricia was as assiduous in her devotional life as she was in her language study. Often her daily prayers and devotions were in foreign languages and she was a regular and gifted public reader of the Bible at both Archmere and at the chapel at the Country House. Her preparation for reading was always meticulous and she took time to breathe life into the words she read.

Nobody emerged from their interactions with Patricia's kindness without being changed for the better: whether student, colleague, family member or friend. When Pat was on your side, good things happened.

PK and George's Wilmington home was often the gathering spot for new and seasoned teachers, lifelong friends and new acquaintances. The "PK and Georgio" parties were legendary for their impeccable cuisine, late-night camaraderie, ever-present humor and good will. We thank God for her life and her faith - heaven's gain is our loss. She will be so missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Monday morning, August 7, 2023 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church, Greenville, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Joseph on the Brandywine cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Dr. Cunningham asks donations be made to: The ALS Association, 321 Norristown Road, Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002.