Rosemarie Lyn "Rose" Cunningham

Mar 31, 1962 -

Oct 23, 2022

Rose, 60, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away on Oct. 23, 2022, from pancreatic cancer. She was born March 31, 1962, in Baltimore, Md., to Carson and Frieda (Kemna) Coil. She grew up in St. Peters, Mo. Rose and Ed married in 1980 ,and for the next 20 years, the Air Force sent them to Colorado, Alaska, Illinois, Kansas and Hawaii. Rose worked as a Computer Programmer, Applications and Data Analyst, Data Administrator, and Project Manager at Rent-A-Center Headquarters, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Defense, National Weather Service and U.S. Geological Survey.

When diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000, she became an active volunteer for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and served as a Self-Help Support Group Leader for 10 years. Volunteer work included serving as a Girl Scout Leader in Hawaii and Treasurer for the local Catholic Daughters court.

Rose was renowned for decorating cakes for birthdays, weddings and celebrations. Her greatest joy was mentoring her granddaughter in cake decorating and sewing. Rose loved to sing and was a choir member and cantor at Prince of Peace parish, Hickam AFB, Hawaii, and St. Benedict's in Anchorage. Rose was a 10-year member of the Sweet Adeline's chorus, Alaska Sound Celebration, performing in regional and international competitions, Naturalization Ceremonies, the Alaska State Fair and Fur Rendezvous Melodramas. Rose also enjoyed aerobics at Jazzercise for 30 years, plus a few years of Zumba.

Rose is survived by her husband, Ed; son, Andrew; daughter, Christy; granddaughter, Addison; mother, Frieda Faber; sister, Melissa (Coil) Price; and brothers, Carson Coil Jr. and Edward Coil.

Funeral services will start at 10 a.m., with Rosary and visitation followed by Mass on Nov. 26, 2022,, at St Benedicts Catholic Church, 8110 Jewel Lake Road, with reception following. Online at https://www.facebook.com/stbenedict-sak. Suggested donations are National Multiple Sclerosis Society and American Cancer Society.