ERIN – Mary Cunningham of Erin was named Citizen of the Year at the 2025 Shamrock Awards ceremony at Centre 2000 on April 16.
“Thank you very, very much and I accept this award for the Rotary Club and my friends,” said Cunningham during her acceptance speech.
Nominators Don Fysh and Nina de Vaal described Cunningham’s contributions as “a whole lot of what an engaged citizen should give.”
As a “nearly lifelong resident” of Erin, Cunningham grew up on a farm outside of Hillsburgh and has spent her life volunteering with organizations such as the East Wellington Community Services, the Erin Rotary Club and East Wellington Health Team. Cunningham also volunteered at her local church and coached her children’s baseball and hockey teams.
In her professional life, Cunningham worked as the manager of the Erin branch of the TD Canada Trust bank for 15 years.
“In this role she was able to see the challenges faced by vulnerable members of our community and reinforced her commitment to public service,” said Fysh.
Cunningham is an active member of the St. John Brebeuf Roman Catholic Church and has been for over 50 years.
“She has continuously engaged in church life, assisting in services and in fundraising for the church,” said Fysh. “Other church members described her as active and hardworking [and] always willing to help someone.”
Cunningham raised two children in Erin and spent more than 15 years coaching youth basketball and hockey; at times, Cunningham was known to coach both of her kids’ teams at the same time.
Cunningham has served as a board member of the East Wellington Family Health Team since 2012, has been supporting the East Wellington Community Services for over nine years and has been a key member of the Erin Rotary Club for over 25 years.
‘Dumfounded’
In a post-ceremony interview, Cunningham told the Advertiser she did not expect to win the award.
“I feel dumbfounded; I certainly did not expect it,” said Cunningham.
“But just like I said up there [on the stage], it belongs to so many of my Rotarian friends because they are all dedicated to service above self.
“Volunteering is so important, not only for oneself for the reward of volunteering, but the friends that you make forever,” said Cunningham.
She stressed the importance of volunteering in the community and encouraged younger generations to “get out there”.
“I truly believe that when you volunteer, yes, your reward is ‘thank goodness I’ve helped somebody else,’ but you also make connections that are irreplaceable,” said Cunningham.
“The more groups and the more things that you volunteer with diversifies your portfolio of friends.”
