Sister Ray Maria Ray Maria McNamara

1948 - 2024

Sister Ray Maria McNamara, 76, was born on April 3, 1948, in Greenville, SC, the daughter of James Patrick McNamara and Catherine Fewell McNamara. She was the oldest of six siblings, three of whom, William Fewell, James Patrick and Michael Joseph, live in or near Greenville SC. She grew up in a family that valued education and excellence in whatever endeavors Ray Maria and her brothers and sister pursued. Ray Maria loved classical music, played several instruments and had a beautiful singing voice. In her teen years, Ray Maria was a competitive swimmer. Both she and her sister Katie were state champions in swimming. She often spoke of how much at home she felt in the water. She developed an interest in science which remained important to her throughout her life, no matter what education or ministry she pursued.

She attended Holy Rosary Elementary School and Greenville High School, before matriculating at Clemson University to study Biology. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Clemson in 1970. Shortly after graduation she entered the Monastery of the Poor Clares in Greenville SC. After several years she recognized that she did not have a vocation to cloistered life. She taught at St. Mary's School in Greenville for several years and still felt a call to live religious community life. She was drawn to the community of the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont, NC, where she entered in July of 1977. She made perpetual profession as a Sister of Mercy in 1981 in Belmont NC.

She often talked about her years as an elementary and middle school teacher in Florida and Charlotte, NC. Even without formal training in Education, she enjoyed awakening interest in the sciences for her students. In 1992 she

became principal of St. Patrick's School in Charlotte.

Sister Ray Maria was invited by her community to study Theology. In 1997 she began a program leading to a Masters in Theology and ultimately to a Doctorate at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley CA. In 2005 she earned a Doctorate in Christian Spirituality. Her area of interest combined Spirituality and Ecology, drawing on the scientific background she loved. She taught Theology at the University of Portland until 2010, when the Sisters of Mercy asked her to assume responsibility for Mission Advancement for her community. She later worked in staff formation for her community.

She was a deeply spiritual woman who had great confidence in God, and a love of beauty and joy in living.

Most recently she ministered at St. Mary's Health Care System, Athens, GA, where she worked with the administration to assist in living out the spiritual mission of the hospital. She combined patient contact and conversation with staff members throughout the System. Her many interests and the scope of her work allowed her to interact with the youngest infants and the most sophisticated hospital staff. These final years of ministry were very

happy ones for her as she felt she could draw on her many life experiences and her best talents.

Ray Maria is survived by family members William Fewell and Linda McNamara: James Patrick and Beth McNamara, and Michael Joseph McNamara, as well as several nieces and nephews and extended family members. She was predeceased by her parents and sister Katie and brother Tim. She died unexpectedly in December 2024 in Athens GA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Convent 103 Mercy Drive Belmont NC 28012 on

Monday January 6 at 11 a.m. Immediately after the Mass, the Sisters will provide lunch and a graveside service will take place at 1:30 PM at Belmont Abbey.

Those planning to stay for lunch should email ljordan@sistersofmercy.org.

The mass will be streamed at https://www.facebook.com/groups/871835437805371/.

McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont is serving the Sisters of Mercy and the McNamara family. Condolence

messages may be sent online at mcleanfuneral.com.