Rita McCunniff died May 6, 2017, in Gallup, New Mexico.  She was born August 1, 1932, in Antonito, Colorado.

McCunniff Received a Bachelor of Science in home economics from Mount Saint Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, in 1954.  She moved to Gallup and was a home economics teacher at Central High School and the director of Gallup-McKinley County Schools Food Service for 19 years. She retired in 1997.

Survivors include her son Gregory W. Snell; daughters Margi McCunniff, and Katie McCunniff; sister Patricia Regan; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents Francis and Grace McCunniff; brother Dr. William McCunniff; sister Frances Chavez; and grandparents William and Frieda Barlow.

A memorial Mass was held at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup.  Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, June 24 at Saint Augustine Catholic Church in Antonito, Colorado.  Internment will be in the La Jara Cemetery.