BELMONT — Mercy Sister Ray Maria McNamara, gifted ministry leader and former principal of St. Patrick Catholic School in Charlotte, died Dec. 22, 2024, in Athens, Georgia, aged 76.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, at Sacred Heart Convent, 103 Mercy Dr., Belmont, N.C. 28012. Immediately after the Mass, the Sisters will provide lunch, and a graveside service will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Belmont Abbey Cemetery. Those planning to stay for lunch should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The funeral Mass will be streamed live at www.facebook.com/groups/871835437805371.
She was born on April 3, 1948, in Greenville, South Carolina, 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 – still live in or near Greenville. She grew up in a family that valued education and excellence in whatever endeavors she and her brothers and sister pursued. She loved classical music, played several instruments and had a beautiful singing voice. In her teen years, she 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 at Clemson University in 1970. Shortly after graduation, she entered the Monastery of the Poor Clares in Greenville. 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, where she entered in July of 1977. She made perpetual profession as a Sister of Mercy in 1981.
She often talked about her years as an elementary and middle school teacher in Florida and in Charlotte. Even without formal training in education, she enjoyed awakening interest in the sciences for her students. In 1992, she became principal of St. Patrick Catholic School in Charlotte.
She was invited by her community to study theology, and in 1997 she began a program leading to a Masters in Theology and ultimately to a Doctorate at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. 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 in Athens, 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.
She 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, sister Katie and brother Tim.
McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
BELMONT — Mercy Sister Mary Robert Williams passed away peacefully on Dec. 26, 2024, aged 92. A beloved Sister, educator and spiritual leader, Sister Mary Robert dedicated her life to serving others, embodying the values of compassion and kindness throughout her seven decades of ministry.
A viewing will be held from 10:15 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Immediately after Mass, the Sisters will provide lunch, and a graveside service will take place at 1:30 p.m.
Those planning to stay for lunch should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The funeral Mass will also be livestreamed: https://www.facebook.com/groups/871835437805371.
Margaret Catherine Williams was born on Oct. 24, 1932, to Robert Williams of Glen Cove, Long Island, New York, and Bernadette Nixon of Triangle, North Carolina.
Growing up in Charlotte, she attended St. Patrick Catholic School (previously known as O’Donoghue School), where she nurtured her passion for education.
On Aug. 5, 1950, she entered the Sisters of Mercy and began a remarkable career that spanned decades. Her commitment to teaching and leadership saw her serve as a supervisor at Nazareth Orphanage in Raleigh, principal at St. Mary’s School in Wilmington, and later as principal at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School in Charlotte for 13 years. During this time, she also dedicated herself to training the next generation of Sisters as a novice director for the Sisters of Mercy.
After retiring from her formal education career, Sister Mary Robert continued to share her gifts at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Salisbury, where she became a cherished pastoral associate and patient advisor. She was instrumental in starting Rowan Helping Ministries’ homeless shelter, and she also worked with a local women’s shelter and Operation Suitcase, which provides supplies for children in foster care.
Sister Mary Robert provided support and guidance to people in need for 31 years at Sacred Heart Parish, until her retirement in 2014 at the age of 81. An outreach program based out of the parish was later named for her in gratitude for her service.
Upon returning to Belmont, Sister Mary Robert dedicated herself to the community, volunteering at Holy Angels and House of Mercy, where she uplifted and visited children and young women, offering prayer and encouragement to those facing challenges.
Known for her joyful spirit, gentleness and unwavering love for others, Sister Mary Robert was also a talented storyteller who created lasting connections with everyone she encountered. Her presence brought peace and light to all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Sister Mary Robert will be profoundly missed by her family, the Sisters of Mercy, friends, and the countless lives she touched throughout her ministry.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister Mary Robert’s memory may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 101 Mercy Dr., Belmont, N.C. 28012; or a charity of one’s choice, reflecting her lifelong commitment to service and love for others.
McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
Read more about Mercy Sister Mary Robert Williams:
- We stand on the shoulders of great women’: Sisters of Mercy leave legacy of Catholic education, healthcare and social services across our region
- Outreach ministry honors Mercy sister