Maria Nieves Uray, M.D.

Maria Nieves Donada Uray, better known as “ Dr. Uray, Mrs. Uray or Abuela” passed away peacefully on January 6, 2022 with her family at her bedside. She was 89.

At the age of 12, Dr. Uray traveled from Mexico to the US on her own to further her education. She graduated from the University of Texas – Austin in 1953. She went on to become the first Mexican woman to graduate from UT – Southwestern Medical School in 1957. During a career spanning more than 60 years, as a board -certified Family Medicine physician, Dr. Uray touched hundreds of lives. She was a private practitioner – even making house calls well into her 60’s, the “Clinic Doctor” at both St Peter’s Medical Center and Middlesex General Hospital and served on many Boards and committees. She was also a teacher – for medical students, nursing students and resident physicians. After several failed attempts, Dr. Uray finally retired from medical practice in 2013, at the age of 81.

Mrs Uray was a surrogate mom to most of the kids in her Ross Hall Blvd neighborhood. Her kitchen table served as a communal gathering spot for years, even after the “brats” became adults. She was an integral part of the Ross Hall Blvd community for almost 50 years.

Abuela is survived by her 2 siblings, 4 children and 11 grandchildren: Her brother Benito Donada Gutierrez and his 4 children and her sister Maria del Carmen Donada Gutierrez; Semiha Uray and her husband, Joel Crosmun, their children Morrighan-Eris and Luke; Tash Uray and his wife Karen Uray, their children Arielle, Jacob and Brianna; Alp Uray and his wife Ann Uray, their children Hannah, Kate and Fiona; Erol Uray and his wife Gretchen Uray, their children Grace, Aidan and Eli.

She was predeceased by her husband Tacettin M. Uray, MD in 2015.

The family will receive friends at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, on Monday, January 10, 2022 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The family will also be receiving visitors at Piscataway Funeral Home, 18 Stelton Road, Piscataway, NJ on Sunday, January 16, 2022 from 1 to 4 pm.

There will be a Celebration of Life to follow at the Spain Inn – 1707 W 7th St in Piscataway, NJ from 5 pm to 9pm.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, January 17, 2022 at St Mary’s of Mt Virgin, Parrish of the Visitation, 190 Sanford Street, New Brunswick, NJ.

Burial will be a private affair to follow Mass at the Resurrection Burial Park in Piscataway, NJ.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association by clicking HERE.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.