After a full and rich life of giving, Margaret Lillian Banks, 91, died on Feb 9, 2005, at Halifax Medical Center, Daytona Beach, FL.
A celebration of life was to be held at Grace Episcopal Church, Port Orange, on Feb 15.
Later this spring, Margaret will be remembered at a memorial service at The People's Church in Kalkaska, where she was a member for more than 50 years. An interment will follow in the family plot at Evergreen Cemetery, Kalkaska.
Margaret was a dedicated teacher, mentor, and school principal for 42 years in Kalkaska County, and for five years in Nogales, AZ. She served as an officer the local, state, and national Women's Christian Temperance Union, was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society and an active member of The People's Church, in Kalkaska.
In her later years, Margaret was a generous financial contributor to many charitable organizations, especially the St. Lebare Indian School in Ashland, MT. In 1999, as a result of receiving the prestigious annual Golden Citizen Award from the Greater Kalkaska Chamber of Commerce recognizing "her lifelong achievements that enhance the community," The Michigan Legislature recognized her with these stirring words; "Whether through her service in elementary education, church work or as a friend to many, Margaret Banks has enriched the lives of countless people and made this a better world for us to leave to our children."
Upon Margaret's retirement, she traveled extensively with her beloved sister, Elizabeth, until the tragic death of Elizabeth, who drowned in flash flood in 1970 in Arizona.
After Elizabeth's death Margaret spent most winters in Florida visiting her brother, Harry Banks of Jacksonville, and her niece, Roxanna Dear of New Smyrna Beach, until moving to live with Roxanna, who was her friend and caregiver. She is also survived by nephews, Kirk and Whit Banks, nine grandnieces and grandnephews and innumerable friends.
Dates and times of the Kalkaska memorial will be announced at a later date. Wolfe Funeral Home, Kalkaska, will be in charge of the arrangements.
