Obituary: Banks, Jane Helen

BANKS, Jane Helen (Age 91) On August 10, 2014 after a life full of prayer, hope, and dedication to her faith, was called to the Lord.

She was born on April 10, 1923 in the small coal mining town of Mahanoy City, PA. Jane is the daughter of Grace I.

(Parfitt) and Clarence L. Bankes.

She graduated from high school just prior to the outbreak of World War II.

She dated a hometown boy by the name of George Banks, but the war postponed their marrying until December 1945.

They lived and raised a family just outside of Baltimore, MD in a small town at the time called Dundalk.

George worked for Bethlehem Steel Company for 35 years and Jane was mother and homemaker for most of those years.

She worked later in their marriage for several years in the banking industry.

Jane’s faith was founded in the Methodist denomination.

She was well versed in the bible and participated all the way to age 91 in many bible study classes.

She was a quiet and loving person who got along with many people and never uttered words against others.

In retirement, Jane and George lived in Millsboro, Delaware and Wilmington, NC.

They eventually moved to Spokane, WA to live with their son, daughter-in-law, and the grandchildren in 1995.

Jane was always active in the Mead Methodist Church and she volunteered at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in the school and the parish.

Jane, though a devout Methodist, was extremely ecumenical.

Douglas remembers at a young age, Jane taking him to a number of other faiths, and saying to him, “I want you to see how so many worship the same God”.

Jane is survived by her sister, Shirley Harris (Ohio), sons David (Valerie) and Douglas (Chris), grandchildren Bradley Banks (Bree), Jason Banks (Amanda), David Streibick, Jennifer Banks, Shelley Streibick, and Carrie Banks, and great-grandchildren, Jamison, Nathaniel, and Jackson.

A vigil service will be held on Friday, August 15, 2014 at 7:00pm and the funeral service on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 10:00am.

Both services will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 505 W. St. Thomas More Way.

Interment will immediately follow the funeral service at Holy Cross Cemetery.

The family suggests that gifts may be made to Hospice of Spokane, Mead Methodist Church, or St. Thomas More Catholic School.

Arrangements have been entrusted to: