[1][2] Mary Elizabeth Cunningham was born in Glencairn, Belfast, County Antrim on 28 January 1868.
She was the fourth of eleven children of a prosperous stockbroker, Josias Cunningham, and Jane Agnes (née Davis).
She also worked with the Welcome Home Fund, acting as joint president, honorary secretary, and treasurer.
From 1916 she was demonstrator with the St John Ambulance, as well as commanding a unit of the Voluntary Aid Detachment.
[1][2] Cunningham died after a long illness on 14 January 1939 at her sister's home at Silver Springs, Templepatrick, County Antrim.