Jeanne Banister

BANISTER, JEANNE F.Long term resident Jeanne F. Banister, 89, entered into rest on June 6th, 2013 at the Montebello on Academy. She is survived by her children, sons John C. and Stephen J. of Albuquerque, daughter Gayle F. Jarpe and husband Steven, of Prescott Valley, Arizona. She is also survived by her beloved grandsons Joel and Kyle Jarpe and niece Carol Buol of the Dallas area. Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Gertrude, her brother Edward, her sister Helen and her husband of 56 years, John R. Banister. Jeanne was born on September 8th, 1923 in South Bend, Indiana. While she was young, the family relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, so that her father could accept an accountant's position with the Wabash Railroad. After graduating from Webster Groves High School, Jeanne pursued a bachelor's degree in Home Equipment in the School of Home Economics at Iowa State College (now University) in Ames. Completing her degree, she returned to St. Louis where she was employed by the Union Electric Company for several years as a home economist. Desiring to further her education, Jeanne returned to Iowa State for graduate school. While there, at a dance where the band played "Some Enchanted Evening", she met a physics graduate student, John Banister. They courted and subsequently married, with Jeanne completing her master's degree. As her new husband completed his doctorate, she worked as a teaching assistant. Upon John's graduation, they moved to Albuquerque in April of 1953, so that he could become a physicist with Sandia Corporation. Children soon began to follow, first John and Stephen, then Gayle. A devoted mother, Jeanne enjoyed entertaining her young children with novelty songs, "Da Twee, Widdle Fishies" being a favorite. Her church was important to Jeanne and she was for several decades, a member of Central United Methodist. She was active in the United Methodist Women's group (UMW), serving as an officer including terms as Albuquerque Regional Treasurer and President. She also served on the UMW Foundation Board and the Board of Global Ministries. A passion that Jeanne and her husband John shared was travel. They journeyed to Europe, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand, with Norway being a special place for them. Jeanne was an avid reader of mystery novels having read all of the Agatha Christe and Tony Hillerman books. Her family wishes to thank the healthcare staff at the Montebello and those of Presbyterian Hospice for their care and kindness to Jeanne at a difficult time in her life. Services will be held on Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. The location will be Central United Methodist Church at 201 University Blvd. NE in Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Joy Junction, the United Methodist Children's Home or Doctors Without Borders.