Sister Mary Andrew Ray ’84

Sister Mary Andrew Ray, Belmont, NC, died February 8, 2025. She was a beloved member of the Sisters of Mercy and a devoted educator. 

Born Hazel Rita Ray in Charlotte, NC, Sister Mary Andrew was the youngest of four children. The Ray family were among the founding members of Charlotte’s St. Patrick Catholic Church (now St. Patrick’s Cathedral).

A dedicated student and spirited teenager, she attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School, formerly known as Donahue School, where her love for learning and passion for helping others first blossomed. After many hints from several Sisters of Mercy, Sister Mary Andrew entered the Order in 1952, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey of service and education.

Sister Mary Andrew earned her bachelor’s degree in social studies from Sacred Heart College/Belmont Abbey College. With an unwavering commitment to education, she played a pivotal role in implementing English as a Second Language program while ministering at Sacred Heart College. Her dedication to teaching ELS students led her to pursue a master’s degree in English as a Second Language at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont.

Throughout her illustrious career, Sister Mary Andrew touched countless lives as she taught at various Catholic schools within the North Carolina, including St. Mary’s in Wilmington, Saint Michael’s in Gastonia, Assumption in Charlotte, St. Gabriel’s, and St. Patrick’s to list a few. Sister also served at the former military academy in Belmont, NC, which was run by the Sisters of Mercy.

An active and dedicated member of the Sisters of Mercy, Sister Mary Andrew held the position of secretary general and worked as the director of special services at Sacred Heart College. One of her greatest passions was serving as the assistant archivist at Sacred Heart Convent, where she worked tirelessly to preserve the stories and legacies of the sisters.

As she embraced her illness in her final years, Sister Mary Andrew remained a beacon of hope and strength, inspiring all who knew her with her motto, “Jesus, I trust in You.” Her unwavering faith and compassion shone brightly through her service to the community, and she will be remembered as a true embodiment of mercy and love.

She is survived by extended family and her sisters in religion.