Sister Mary Theresa ND 4934 PDF Download
(formerly Sister Mary Magdalae)
Theresa GEBURA
Immaculate Conception Province, USA
Date and Place of Birth: March 29, 1935 Cleveland, Ohio
Date and Place of Profession: August 16, 1956 Cleveland, Ohio
Date and Place of Death: June 4, 2026 University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center
Date and Place of Burial: June 11, 2026 Resurrection Cemetery, Chardon
Theresa was the sixth of the seven children born to Joseph and Mary (Kosnac) Gebura, both Slovak immigrants. It was a loving household, and throughout their lives the sisters and brothers maintained their close connections. As members of St. Wendelin parish, the family gathered with their Slovak neighbors and friends in worship and in education.
Theresa attended the parish elementary school and St. Michael High School, both staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame. She loved school and enjoyed helping the Sisters care for the church. As a senior in high school, Theresa discerned God’s call to religious life, a call which had begun in second grade. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame on September 8, 1953, and at investment received the name Sister Mary Magdalae.
Even as a novice, Sister Mary Theresa was attracted to helping in the large provincial house kitchen. After profession, she immediately began her lifelong ministry in food service. Sometimes she was part of a team of sister-cooks at the provincial house or Notre Dame College, but mostly she served the sisters in large parish convents in the Cleveland area. She was unassuming, hard-working and had a keen eye for what needed to be done. She contributed unselfishly, liked being busy and neither sought nor expected any recognition.
Sister Mary Theresa loved to cook and bake. She knew that gathering around the table drew community together and nourished the spirit. Sister took classes in dietetics and attended seminars and workshops on large-scale meal preparation and food service. She used her connection with grocery stores and food services to seek donations for distribution to food kitchens, parish centers and those in need.
In her retirement years, Sister Mary Theresa continued to be of service to others in her SND community, in meal planning, in the Prayer Line office, in crafts and baking for the annual Chicken Barbecue and Boutique. She was instrumental in organizing the Barbecue Country Kitchen and worked closely with the bakers. Her positive attitude, determination, energy and work ethic—always to serve others—were legendary. Sister Mary Theresa expressed her faith through her generosity of heart. She lived the phrase, “Make all your life something beautiful for God.” May Sister rest in peace.
