Submitted by: Dan Rich

Sr. M. Bethania Whitehouse CSC

Oct. 7, 1906 - May 18, 2003

South Bend Tribune 5/20/2003

Sister M. Bethania (Helen Marie Whitehouse), C.S.C., 96, died in Saint Mary's Convent, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, Ind., on Sunday, May 18. She was the daughter of the late Oscar and Nellie Griffin Whitehouse. Sister was also preceded in death by her brother, Marion, and by her sister, Sister Esther Marie, C.S.C. Sister M. Bethania is survived by her grandniece, Mrs. Theresa (John J.) Gardella Jr., Jamestown, Calif., and by many friends.

Sister M. Bethania entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1928 and made her first vows in 1930. She taught in elementary schools in California, Idaho and Utah. In 1952 Sister was posted to Saint Mary of the Wasatch, Salt Lake City, Utah, as teacher and registrar until 1959 when she moved to Judge Memorial, Salt Lake City, to teach the 9th grade. She returned to California in 1963 as teacher and registrar at San Joaquin Memorial High School, Fresno, 1968, Holy Cross School, Mountain View, 1980, and St. Matthew's School, San Mateo, as tutor. In 1972 she was at St. Anne's School and 1975 at Bishop Gorman High School, both schools in Las Vegas, Nev. In 1987, Sister Bethania retired to Saint Catherine by the Sea, Ventura, Calif. In 1988

Sister returned to Notre Dame and Queen of Peace Convent at Saint Mary's Convent, 1996, where she has taken part in the Ministry of Prayer until her death.

Wake services will be held in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21. Funeral Mass will be in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 22, followed by interment at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN 46556. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.