Sister Mary Martha (formerly known as Sister M. Ralphe) was born into the loving family of Ralph and Martha Beiting on August 3, 1934. She was the eighth of eleven children. Martha attended grade school at St. Joseph School, Cold Spring, Kentucky, and graduated from Academy of Notre Dame Providence, Newport, Kentucky. After working for a year at Western and Southern, she realized that God was calling her to follow him as a Sister of Notre Dame and entered the community in August 1954. Sister Mary Martha made her profession of vows on August 17, 1957.
Sister studied Child Care Education at Thomas More University, Xavier University, and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She taught elementary grades in the Covington Diocese for a few years before ministering for more than thirty years at St. Aloysius Orphanage, Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home, Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky. She gave guidance and care to many children throughout the years, nurturing them with stability and love when it was needed the most. Sister Martha also provided some years of service in housekeeping at Notre Dame Academy, St. Claire Medical Center, and St. Joseph Heights.
As Sister Martha transitioned to retirement, her ministry focused on her community. She served in many facets of community life. She delighted in creating holiday decorations and making delicious candy and cookies. Working in transportation, she accompanied sisters to their doctors’ appointments. She also led the craft program at St. Joseph Heights and assisted with activities. As her health became more fragile, she welcomed visitors to sit and socialize about the daily events, always making one leave with a smile. We are truly thankful for the many talents and gifts Sister Martha shared with all of us. She will be dearly missed.
Sister Mary Martha went home to God peacefully on February 19, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Reverend Ralph Beiting, Raymond, Paul, James, and Stanley Beiting, and her sisters Dorthy Noll and Ann Shadle. She is survived by her brothers Donald and Jerry Beiting, and her sister Mary Lou Deavy. Sister also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at the Sisters of Notre Dame, 1601 Dixie Highway, Covington, KY 41011. The wake service will begin at 5:00 PM, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 7:00 PM in the convent chapel. Interment in the convent cemetery will follow the 8:30 AM Mass on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Watch the Mass on livestream at: https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-mass-for-sister-mary-martha-beiting-635910