Obituary of Mary Banks

AVERILL PARK – Mary Banks, 70, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday January 8, 2023. Mary is survived by her two sons, Joshua R. Banks, and Brian E. Banks, daughter Darcey, A. Banks, two loving grandsons, Ian and Kai Zehnder-Banks, sisters: Kathleen Fitzgerald, Patti Buhr, Lori Card, and Vicki McCallen-Richards, and brothers Mike McCallen, James McCallen, and John McCallen. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, William J. Banks, sister Margaret (Peggy) Perkins, and parents Mary and Robert McCallen. Mary was one of a kind and all who knew her had many stories to tell! She was a fierce advocate for her daughter and the rights of the disabled. She loved her career(s) focused on caring for others, first as a home health aide for Seton Health, transcriptionist for St. Mary’s Hospital, and as a teacher’s aide at several local school districts. She and her husband were soulmates and best buddies. They could be found cracking jokes, offering support, and causing trouble wherever they went. They loved their time traveling together, especially sharing their love of the St. Lawrence River with friends and family. Nothing brought her more joy however, than being a grandmother. The bond she shared with Ian and Kai can be seen through their use of many “Mary Banks-isms” like “I’ve had about enough of that”, “well that’s different” “thing-a-majig to the doohickey” and her general use of colorful and creative language not fit for print. She’d love it if everyone would leave a trail of coffee across their house, (“Mary Banksing it”) leave some crumbs out for the birds and deer, and to look up at the night sky and appreciate the world for all its beauty. Cremation has taken place through the care of Simple Choices, Inc. A memorial event will be planned later in the spring with details to be shared via Facebook and family. Fond Memories and Expressions of Sympathy may be shared with the Banks Family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com