Mary Maria Andrews

Mary Andrews (20 March 1915 – 16 October 1996) was an Anglican Deaconess, missionary and church leader.

Early life Mary Maria Andrews was born 20 March 1915 at Adaminaby, New South Wales, Australia. From an early age she developed a calling to missionary work. In 1936 she received a diploma from the Missionary and Bible Training College in Croydon, New South Wales and was accepted by the Church Missionary Society for training for mission work in China. She completed further training at the Church of England Deaconess House in Sydney. As such she was the most senior woman in the Diocese for the next two decades.

Later years and death Andrews retired as Head Deaconess and Principal in 1975 but continued to exercise ministerial roles and to visit China. In 1980 she was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to religion. She died 16 October 1996 at Kogarah, New South Wales. In 1997 Deaconess House was renamed Mary Andrews College in her honour.