Notre Dame Sister Mary Beth Kubesh taught, directed, cooked and created

Notre Dame Sister Mary Beth (Martin) Kubesh could make a place feel like home.

During her 68 years of religious life, she taught high school economics, directed social services and activities for seniors, beautified gardens, baked bread and kolaches and made clothing and crafts.

Sister Mary Beth died Feb. 3 at Immanuel Fontenelle care center in Omaha. She was 94.

A memorial Mass was held Feb. 8 at the Notre Dame Convent in Omaha. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery.

Sister Mary Beth was born in Grafton, North Dakota. She entered the novitiate of the Notre Dame Sisters in 1950 and professed vows in 1952.

“Through all of her ministries Sr. Mary Beth shared her gifts and talents with a joyful and fun-loving spirit,” the Notre Dame Sisters said in a written tribute. “One in her presence truly knew of her love.”

Sister Mary Beth was a teacher for 32 years. In the Archdiocese of Omaha, she served at St. Wenceslaus School in Dodge from 1952 to 1953, and in Omaha at the former St. Adalbert School from 1953 to 1954 and from 1962 to 1963, and at the former Assumption School from 1957 to 1959 and from 1961 to 1962.

She also taught at several Omaha high schools: the former Notre Dame Academy from 1962 to 1972, Roncalli Catholic High School from 1974 to 1975, Mercy High School from 1977 to 1979 and the former Holy Name High School from 1983 to 1984.

Sister Mary Beth served from 1975 to 1977 as social services and activities director at Florence Home in Omaha.

From 1984 to 1988 she was superintendent of buildings and grounds at the Notre Dame Convent. She took classes in horticulture to improve her service, the Notre Dame Sisters said in their tribute. “She created beautiful gardens all around the campus.”