Sr. Raymond Mary Cline, 78, teacher

Sister Raymond Mary Cline, 78, who taught business courses and was an administrator at Mercy Vocational High School for 35 years, died of complications from dementia Monday, Dec. 26, at McAuley Convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Merion.

In 1973, Sister Raymond Mary joined the staff of Mercy Vocational, where she taught business courses and was involved in the transition to computer technology.

In 1999, she became assistant to the director of cooperative education at the school. She found opportunities for her students for on-the-job learning that often led to full-time employment after graduation and she initiated a "shadow" program that allowed students to follow professionals, watching them work and asking questions.

Sister Raymond Mary also moderated the Community Service Corps at Mercy Vocational. Students in the corps volunteered at nursing homes, collected toys for needy children at Christmas, and performed other good works. She received an award from the Philadelphia Archdiocese for her service with the corps.

From 2008 until retiring in 2010, Sister Raymond Mary served on the staff at McCauley Convent.

As Nora Cline, she graduated from Little Flower High School in Hunting Park in 1951. She then was a secretary for Bell Telephone Co. before entering the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy in 1954.

She taught elementary classes at Waldron Academy in Merion, at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Schools in Philadelphia, and at Catholic schools in Berks County and North Carolina.

For several years, she taught in and served as chair of the business department at Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster before joining Mercy Vocational.

Sister Raymond Mary earned a bachelor's degree in 1965 from Villanova University and a master's degree in business education in 1975 from what was then Rider College.

She is survived by brothers Raymond and Leonard; a sister, Dorothy Lange; and nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be from 6 p.m. until a Funeral Mass at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at the Convent of Mercy Chapel in Merion. Burial will be in the Community Cemetery in Merion.

Donations may be made to Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, 515 Montgomery Ave., Merion, Pa. 19066.