CLAIRE MARIE CUMMINS, formerly of Memphis, died Saturday, September 20, 2008 at the home of her son in Carmel, Indiana. She was born on February 4, 1923, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to the late Alfred and Charlotte Gerhardt. Claire was a 1941 graduate of Walnut Hills High School and received her BS Degree in Dietetics from Mount St. Joseph College (Cincinnati). She was a Registered Dietician and met the love of her life, Dr. Alvin J. Cummins, while working at University Hospital, Cleveland, OH. Claire and Al were married on June 14, 1947, at the Church of the Nativity in Cincinnati, OH. Following completion of Al's medical training, they made their home in Memphis in 1954. Claire is survived by her husband, Dr. Alvin J. Cummins and her three children: Sandra Stallings, Des Moines, Iowa, Gregory (Ruth) Cummins, Carmel, Indiana, and Judie Edwards, Memphis. She is also survived bythree grandchildren: Diane (Scott) Holton, Johnston, Iowa, and Colin and Erin Cummins, Carmel, Indiana, and two great- grandchildren: Carter and Lilly Holton, Johnston, Iowa. Following her own bout with breast cancer in 1972, Claire became actively involved in the American Cancer Society (ACS). She served as the Reach to Recovery Coordinator for Memphis and Shelby County from 1975 to 1978. In 1977, Claire founded the Memphis Area Mastectomy Association (MAMA) as a support group for breast cancer patients. She was appointed by the ACS as the State of Tennessee Division Coordinator of the Reach to Recovery Program and served in this capacity from 1979 though 1982. Claire received many honors and awards including the prestigious Therese Lasser Award from the ACS in 1982. She was a member of the Memphis and Shelby County Nutrition Council and the Memphis District Dietetic Association. In recognition of her many years of volunteer service, Claire is listed in "Who's Who of American Women". She was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be sadly missed by her family. Friends may call for viewing from 11 a.m. until Noon on Friday, September 26 at Canale Funeral Directors. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Friday, September 26 at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with burial following at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or WKNO public television. Canale Funeral Directors 901-452-6400 (Published in The Commercial Appeal on 9/24/2008)