Beloved teacher receives love and support from the community

The Rio Rancho community is coming together with love, support and funding for medical expenses for beloved, longtime RRPS teacher Mary Cunningham, who was admitted to UNMH on July 11 after experiencing a hemorrhagic stroke. Cunningham remained in critical condition for three days before stabilizing.

The end of the school year was supposed to mean the beginning of a new chapter of life for veteran Kindergarten and Pre-K teacher Mary Cunningham, who for 25 years, taught at Rio Rancho Public Schools, with her last stop being Shining Star Preschool. The 2023-24 school year was her last, and though it was bittersweet, Cunningham was ready for her next adventure.

Then, two months afterretirement, she experienced a massive hemorrhage. According to Cunningham’s son-in-law Jesse Wilkinson, 911 was called and Cunningham was taken to UNMH for emergency treatment. A CT scan confirmed intra-cranial bleeding, suggesting Cunningham had indeed experienced a stroke.

After two days of testing, the doctors identified the source of the bleeding, and Cunninghamwas rushed into surgery, which was a success, and she received visitors that night.

With medical bills stacking up—Cunningham was admitted to the Neuroscience ICU at UNMH before being moved to Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital--the Cunningham family launched a GoFundMe. As of Aug. 5, the community had responded to the tune of $25,345 (of the $72,000 goal). According to the donation page, 100% of contributions go to covering Cunningham’s expenses.

Cunningham is currently at Encompass Neuro rehabilitation Center but is being discharged on Thursday, according to her daughter Rachel Wilkinson.

“She has received some amazing therapy since being in rehab,” Rachel Wilkinson told the Observer. “However, she remains unable to talk, walk, or eat independently.”

On leaving Encompass, Cunningham will go to a “longer-term rehab facility in Texas,” where the Wilkinson’s live, according to family.

The Cunnigham family posts regular updates on GoFundMe with medical news, messages of gratitude and even Mary’s latest room number, “if you plan to visit.”

“Those that know Mary recognize her gigantic servant heart and always putting others above herself,” says the Cunningham family via GoFundMe. “She has a long road of recovery ahead. Any donation is welcome and much appreciated.”

The outpouring might be expected.In 2016, she was nominated for the New Mexico Teacher of the Year from the Public Education Department and has been a stalwart of the early education landscape in Rio Rancho for the last 25 years.

Many of Cunningham’s former students (and their families)took the opportunity to express their support and donate.

“Mary was my son’s pre-k teacher, [and] she is awesome! She and her family will be in our prayers. We love you,” read one message.

“Praying for you and your family during this difficult time,” read another.

Latest update:

On July 27, Wilkinson says the family was informed that Mary was taken from her rehabilitation facility back to UNMH after her latest CT scan revealed an abscess and her white blood cell count had dropped.

After two harrowing days, Mary was moved back to Encompass where she remains and is showing improvement in her movements and speech, according to the latest GoFundMe update.

“Mary is showing improvement in the utility of her right arm and leg,” the update reads. “Another huge gain is that she no longer has a feeding tube if she can eat a minimum of 1,500 calories per day, preferably more. Slowly but surely, she is making progress.”