Alma May Cunniffe Story
Alma May Cunniffe was born on October 13th 1917 in North Hampstead, Nassau, New York. Her father was William Hunt Cunniffe who was born on May 7th 1886 in Moate, County Westmeath, Ireland and arrived in the US in May 1910. Her mother was Mary F (Mollie) Hunt, born around 1895 in Ireland and arriving in the US sometime before 1914. They were married on July 5th 1914 in Kings, New York.
Alma had an older sister, Margaret Cunniffe, born in 1916 and three younger sisters and a brother:-
Thelma Bernice Cunniffe, born March 29th 1920
Mary Cunniffe, born October 21st 1921
Violet Patricia Cunniffe, born January 5th 1924
William Cunniffe, born in 1926.
At the time of the 1920 US Federal Census, Alma was residing at Mansion House Hill, North Hampstead, together with her parents and sister Margaret.
The 1925 New York State Census, shows Alma as living at North Hampstead, Nassau, together with her parents and four sisters.
In the 1930 US Federal Census, Alma and her four sisters are shown as 'boarders' at St Joseph's Orphanage, 735 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, Kings, New York.
Alma's father passed away on July 1st 1932 and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn.
According to the 1940 US Federal Census, on April 1st 1940, Alma and her sister Mary were living at East 19th Street, Kings, NY. They shared rented accommodation for which they paid $45 per month. Alma was working as a secretary in banking, had worked 52 weeks in 1939 and earned $1000.
The US Public Records Index 1950-1993 shows Alma as residing, in the 1950s, at 380 Henry Street, Brooklyn.
On September 6th 1960, Alma arrived at Southampton, England, as a first-class passenger on the Flandre. She was accompanied by Phyllis Hadley who also gave her occupation as 'banking'. They stayed for one week at Brown's Hotel in London, followed by 'a European tour'.
According to New York Passenger and Crew Lists 1917-1967, Alma and Phyllis arrived back in New York on October 13th 1960, aboard Pan Am Flight 115 from Rome.
Alma's sister, Violet Patricia, died on January 13th 2004 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Her sister, Thelma Bernice, died on August 13th 2005.
Alma passed away on July 1st 2012 at Cobble Hill Health Centre, Brooklyn. On December 19th 2012, she was buried in Hart Island, New York; Section 2, Plot 357, Grave 16, Permit No 25783.
(Note: Birth and early records show the surname as Cunniffe; from 1940 onwards, the form used is usually Cunniff)