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Meeting ID: 874 0535 0686
Passcode: Banks
Mary Elizabeth Banks of Washington, D.C. transitioned peacefully in her sleep on April 7th 2023 at Caroline Nursing home in Denton, Maryland at the age of 83. Mary was born March 23rd 1940 in Baltimore MD. Mary graduated from Spingarn High School in 1958, and attended Jefferson Business College in 1974. She experienced life by traveling the world everywhere from Greece to the Caribbean, and every place in between. One of the highlights of her career was being recognized by President Reagan for her contributions on his Task Force for Food Assistance in 1982. She was an excellent organizer of affairs and activities, for family, friends, her Friendship Arms neighbors and her Hyattsville community.
She had several passions, primarily her family, and watching her grandson become the man he is, with pride in her eyes and smile,~! Her favorite passion was entertaining her family, and would always take the lead in organizing the family reunions, and all that it entails, every year! Cooking was the core of her expression of love, care and concern for everyone she loved. Everyone had a special feeling because of Mary, it was like you were going somewhere with your name on the table for a very memorable meal. Her meals were always the highlight of the evening, and she would pull out all the stops, often starting days in advance to ensure the effort was done just right, MARY RIGHT~!
Mary excelled in baking, and she developed quite the following for her various delicious pound cakes, at one point making more than 25 cakes for one Holiday,~! Mary was always looking out for the elderly residents in her Friendship Arms community and every holiday, they would always look forward to her meals as they were often, the highlight of their Holiday season. She always brought joy to the seniors in the places she lived, with planning and sponsoring events and activities that enriched their lives. She spearheaded a ‘Brown Bag’ food drive that would occur every month for the residents, and neighbors, of her Friendship Arms neighbors. She coordinated and hosted a community service by sponsoring a Wii bowling competition between the students of DeMatha High and the Senior residents of Friendship Arms, and was presented with a Community commendation for her efforts and service to the community of Hyattsville. Mary sponsored bus trips for the Seniors of Friendship Arms, to outdoor concerts, Outlet shopping, and Atlantic City, always attending to all the details so all they had to do was show up and enjoy the good time she prepared.
Forever the socialite, Mary was a member of The Las Brilliantine’s for more than 10 years, and The Magnificent Gems for more than 5 years. She loved the Washington Redskins, and would stop everything on Sunday for game time. Mary is survived by her Daughter Amelia Williams Gormley, her partner Steven, grandson Kevin II, wife Kim, great granddaughter Kiera, and great grandson Kevin III. Her sister Barbara Gerald, Brothers & Sisters in law, her childhood friend Iris McConnell and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family; all of whom will morn her loss and cherish her memory, she was, and will always be everyone’s NANA,~!