Sister
Ruth Ravey, RSM, (Sr. Mary Louis), 91, of the Sisters of Mercy of the
Americas, died at Birchwood Terrace Rehab and Healthcare in
Burlington, Vt., on June 17, 2025, in her 73rd year of religious
life.
Sr.
Ruth was born in Burlington, Vt., on August 21, 1933, and was the
daughter of Lena (Shequin) and Henry Ravey. She received her early
education in Windsor, Vt., graduated from Mount Saint Mary Academy;
received her BA in English from Trinity College in Burlington, Vt.;
and received an MS in English from Saint Michael’s College in
Colchester, Vt. Sister advanced her education through graduate
studies at Boston College, Boston University and Harvard University.
Sr.
Ruth entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1951, and professed
her vows on August 20, 1954. Sister taught and worked in Catholic
education for many years throughout the state of Vermont. She taught
at Cathedral Grammar School, St. Michael’s High School, Mount Saint
Mary Elementary School, Cathedral High School, Marian High School,
Rice Memorial High School and Trinity College.
Sr.
Ruth held various administrative roles, serving as the diocesan
superintendent of schools for 15 years, the director of novices and
the director of development for the Sisters of Mercy Community. She
was co-director of VT Mercy Associates and was active on many
committees and boards, including Sisters’ Advisory Board, Trinity
College Board of Trustees, Mercy Connections Board of Trustees, the
VT Educational Advisory Board and Mercy Elementary Education Network.
Sr.
Ruth, along with Sr. Joanne LaFreniere, coordinated several retreats
at Camp Terra, Mount Saint Mary and former Camp Marycrest.
Sr.
Ruth will be remembered for her love of gardening, camping, traveling
and a good laugh. She was a voracious reader and was esteemed by her
students as an outstanding teacher. She had a quick wit, and when
asked how she was, she replied, “Able to be upright and take
nourishment!”
She
is survived by cousins Gayle Ravey and Kathy Ravey, as well as other
cousins, and by her sisters in religion, the Sisters of Mercy and
Mercy Associates. She was predeceased by her parents, Lena and Henry
Ravey, and cousins Rev. Donald Ravey and Patrick Ravey.
The
Sisters of Mercy extend our prayers and deepest gratitude to the
caring staff in the Memory Care Unit of Birchwood Terrace Rehab and
Healthcare; the University of Vermont hospice team; and Sister Joanne
LaFreniere, for her loving care of Sister Ruth.
A
mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 24,
2025, 11 a.m., in the Sacred Heart Chapel at Mater Christi School
(formerly Mount Saint Mary Convent), 100 Mansfield Ave., Burlington,
VT, with visiting hours from 10 to 10:50 a.m., prior to the funeral
mass at 11 a.m. Her burial in the Mount Saint Mary Cemetery will
follow the funeral.
In
lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy in
support of their ministerial works: Sisters of Mercy, Attn: Sister
Laura Della Santa, 356 Mountain View Rd., Suite 101, Colchester, VT
05446.
Arrangements
have been entrusted to the care of the Ready Funeral Home, South
Chapel, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington, VT.