Sister Ruth Ravey, RSM (Sr. Mary Louis) 91, of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, died at Birchwood Terrace Health and Rehab Center, in Burlington, VT, on June 17, 2025, in her seventy-third 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 and graduated from Mount Saint Mary Academy; received her B.A. in English from Trinity College in Burlington, VT, and M.S. 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 fifteen 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, and the VT Educational Advisory Board, and Mercy Elementary Education Network.

Sr. Ruth, along with Sr. Joanne LaFreniere coordinated several retreats at Camp Tara, 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, 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 Health and Rehab Center, the University of VT 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, 11:00 AM, in the Sacred Heart Chapel at Mater Christi School (former Mount Saint Mary Convent), 100 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington, VT with visiting hours 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM prior to the funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Her burial will follow the funeral in the Mount Saint Mary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy in support of their ministerial works. Attn: Sister Laura Della Santa, 356 Mountain View Road, Suite 101, Colchester, VT, 05446.