Eleanor Cunis

Eleanor E. Cunis, known as Jean, passed away peacefully Oct. 22 at the age of 103. Born in 1918 in Natick, Jean grew up in Framingham and graduated from Framingham High School in 1936. She attended Framingham Business College and worked briefly at Telechron before marrying Anthony Cunis of Ashland in 1938. The couple enjoyed 64 years of faithful marriage, raising five children and welcoming eight grandchildren before Tony’s death in 2002.

Jean’s working life included years as homemaker, co-owner with Tony of the Tastee Treat in Ashland, and a long and happy career as medical office receptionist. She was a faithful communicant at St. Cecilia Church in Ashland and St. Bridget Church in Framingham, serving as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, bringing communion to the homebound and hospitalized until well into her 90s. Her love of travel brought her from a gondola ride in Venice, to crossing the Panama Canal, to riding an elephant in Thailand. Live theater and music, playing bridge, and celebrations of all kinds filled her with delight. She and Tony embraced a wide circle of friends in Ashland and beyond, and gave continual support to family members near and far. All will remember Jean as a devout Catholic who rejoiced each day in the gift of life.

Jean was predeceased by husband Anthony Joseph, brother Walter E. Young Jr., sister Mary Young Luby, daughter Kathleen Mary and son William Leonard. She is survived by sons Peter Anthony of Hopkinton and Brian Walter and David Jude of New Hampshire, along with eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Oct. 26 in St. Bridget Church, Framingham, followed by burial in Wildwood Cemetery, Ashland. Services were under the care of the Matarese Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Bridget Parish Food Pantry in Jean’s name.