Sister Concetta Naba, BVM

Sister Concetta Naba, BVM, 100, died Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, at Mount Carmel Bluffs, in Dubuque, Iowa.

Visitation, the Sharing of Memories and Mass of Christian Burial were on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. Burial was in the Mount Carmel cemetery.

Sister Concetta was born on May 23, 1921, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Jesse and Mary Ellen (Angelo) Naba. She entered the BVM congregation Feb. 2, 1941, from Visitation Parish, Des Moines. She professed first vows on Aug. 15, 1943, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1948.

In Iowa, Sister Concetta was an elementary teacher at St Raphael in Dubuque, St. Jude in Cedar Rapids, Sacred Heart in Manly, St. Joseph in Sioux City, and Holy Name in Marcus. She also taught at St. Ferdinand and St. Jerome in Chicago; St. Gilbert in Grayslake, Ill.; St. Eulalia in Maywood, Ill.; and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Tempe, Ariz., where she also taught religious education. She was a nurse aide at the BVM Motherhouse in Dubuque and at the Bishop Drumm Home in Des Moines, where she also ministered to the elderly.

“Concetta was a gentle soul with a deep faith who lived a long life of devoted ministry to God’s people—a ministry of generosity. She was welcoming and greeted everyone with her contagious smile. She did not care about things, but was genuinely interested in people and concerned about being kind, compassionate, and loving to all. She would do anything for anyone. She didn’t have to be asked; she simply saw a need and acted on it. She was the perpetual optimist and never complained about anything or anyone. She had a great inner strength and determination that, in her unique manner, helped her ‘strengthen hands that are feeble, make firm knees that are weak [and] say to the fearful of heart: Be strong, do not fear!’ (Isaiah 35:3-4).” (Eulogy, Oct. 11, 2021).

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Ruth Janssens and Rifa Mae Naba; two nieces and two nephews. She is survived two nieces, many grandnieces and grandnephews; and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 80 years.

Memorials may be given to Sisters of Charity, BVM Support Fund, 1100 Carmel Drive, Dubuque, IA 52003 or online.