Ellen Cunniff, 59; principal was devoted to reaching her students

At the end of each school year, principal Ellen Cunniff rolled into school assemblies on a scooter dressed as "Surfer Joe." But her theatrics had a serious purpose, to encourage children to read during the summer months.

"She was an unforgettable person who was deeply committed to children and education and had a tremendous sense of humor," said Matthew King, Wellesley's superintendent of schools.

Ms. Cunniff, who recently retired as principal of the Sprague Elementary School in Wellesley, died of cancer Sunday in her home in Framingham. She was 59.

King said Ms. Cunniff was always looking for new ways to reach students and enable teachers to be more effective. "She created a culture in her schools that was value-based, students- centered, and instructionally sound," he said.

Ms. Cunniff previously taught in the Framingham public schools, where she was Title 1 director. She was principal of the Lincoln Street School in Northborough for 10 years and moved to the Wellesley public schools in 1992 as the principal of the Hunnewell School. In 2002, she became principal of the newly reopened Sprague Elementary School.

"She was a great educator and a great friend who was bright and articulate and had an opinion about everything," said Sandy Dorfman of Ashland, who taught with her in Framingham.

Pat Nichol of Framingham, who also taught with Ms. Cunniff, remembered her as "visible, competent, and caring."

Born in Newton, Ms Cunniff graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University and earned a master's degree in education at Antioch College.

During college summer vacations, she was a music teacher at Mount Ida Day Camp in Newton. "Even when she was young she enjoyed working with children," said her sister Judy Cunniff-Serio of Putnam, Conn.

Ms. Cunniff was a member of the Principals' Center at Harvard University, where she led a seminar for beginning principals.

Dorsey Yearley, director of student service in the Wellesley public schools, worked closely with Ms. Cunniff. "She had an unbelievable ability to manage an enormous amount of information," she said. "She knew all the children's names and the names of their family members, which enabled her to establish close connections."

Her dedication translated into long hours. "She was a devoted educator who was the first one at the school in the morning and the last one there at night," said her sister.

A lifelong Democrat, she was interested in local and national politics, especially issues of social justice. "She was able to express her opinions to everybody in no uncertain terms," said her sister.

Ms. Cunniff suffered from melanoma for many years, and the cancer eventually spread throughout her body. "She scheduled her chemotherapy treatments so she could be at faculty meetings," said her sister.

She continued to enjoy travel and dining out and kept in touch with her friends. "She had the widest circle of friends of anyone I know, " said Dorfman.

On May 4, about 200 friends and colleagues attended her retirement party at the Wellesley Country Club. Though frail, Ms. Cunniff attended.

"She said she had two goals," said her sister, "not to go in a wheelchair and not to die at the party."

Ms. Cunniff accomplished both.

In addition to her sister, she leaves a brother, Thomas of Grafton, and a sister, Joanne Ahearn of Dracut.

A funeral Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. today in Our Lady Help of Christians Church.