Brother Thomas Nabity, 79, monk of the Cistercian (Trappist) Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, died in the monastery infirmary on Monday, May 10, after a short illness. The burial service will take place at the celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, May 14, at 7 a.m. in the Abbey Church.

Brother Thomas was born April 12, 1931 in Central City, Neb., in the then-Diocese of Omaha. His parents were Anton M. Nabity and Mayme B. Polansky-Nabity and he had nine siblings.

Brother Thomas entered the Monastery of the Holy Spirit on Sept. 11, 1947 at age 16. At the time, the monastery allowed teens to enter with parental consent. Brother Thomas made his solemn monastic vows on Nov. 6, 1952.

During construction of the permanent monastery in the 1950s, Brother Thomas did the set-up of equipment for concrete pours. He later managed the beef cattle farm, planted and harvested pecan trees, and did the repairs on the monastery vehicles.

In his latter years, Brother Thomas enjoyed making rosaries for the Abbey Store with even more joy, giving them as gifts. He was fondly known as the Rosary Maker.

He is survived by a sister, Kathy Nabity-Douglas of Grand Island, Neb., and three brothers, Francis and John of Phoenix, Ariz., and Albert of Omaha, Neb.

Donations may be sent in Brother Thomas’ memory to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, 2625 Highway 212, SW, Conyers, GA 30094.