BELMONT — Mercy Sister Mary Hugh Mauldin, 83, died Thursday, April 22, 2021, at Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont. She was a Sister of Mercy for 65 years.
Because of pandemic restrictions, a private funeral Mass will be celebrated April 27, 2021, in the chapel at Sacred Heart Convent, followed by a private interment at Belmont Abbey Cemetery.
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, she was part of a U.S. Navy family. Her parents were Dr. Hugh Edgar Mauldin, D.D.S., and Louellen Fitzgerald.
She earned baccalaureate and master’s degrees in mathematics from N.C. State University in Raleigh and a master’s degree in theology from St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, N.Y.
She taught in several elementary schools staffed by the Sisters of Mercy and made her mark in her years of teaching at Charlotte Catholic High School.
In addition, for 23 years, she taught math and theology at Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C. She was the first woman religious to hold a faculty position at the college – a 92-mile round trip from Belmont. While at Limestone, she earned its Fullerton Teaching Award four times, had a yearbook dedicated to her and was chosen a commencement speaker. On her retirement from teaching, the president of Limestone stated that Sister Mary Hugh was one of the college’s most respected and admired treasures.
Once she left the official classroom, Sister Mary Hugh ministered as an adult religious educator and gave talks in parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte. She was exceptionally well-known for this work.
Besides teaching, she enjoyed playing tennis, doing crossword puzzles and beautiful cross-stitch, reading and gardening. She was committed to music, especially liturgical music, and was the appointed director of liturgy at Sacred Heart Convent.
Her chosen motto was “Solum Jesum” (“Only Jesus”), which guided her religious life.
Deeply involved in community life, Sister Mary Hugh would often say, “I am not me, I am we” – indicating her attachment to community, family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include the Sisters of Mercy, her sister, Mary Feamster of Burlington, N.C.; her brother Hugh of Norfolk, Va.; and her nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be sent to the Sisters of Mercy, 101 Mercy Dr., Belmont, NC 28012.
McLean Funeral Home of Belmont was in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald