Banks, Marie Irene (née Menzies)

November 18th, 2018

BANKS, Marie Irene (née Menzies)

March 24, 1932 – November 18, 2018

Marie Banks, wife of Douglas R. Banks for 64 years, passed away on Sunday, November 18, 2018, in the Palliative Care Unit of Victoria Hospital, London after a strenuous battle with various forms of cancer.

Marie was born in the United Church parsonage in Fullarton (Perth County), to the late Rev. Albert Menzies and Irene (Walls) Menzies. Marie and her family moved to Lambeth when very young, for her pre-school years, and then to Londesborough (Huron County), for her elementary education. The family then moved to Charing Cross, Kent County where Marie completed her secondary school education at Blenheim High School. She then moved to London by herself and attended London Normal School, (University of Western Ontario Faculty of Education), where she met her future husband, Douglas Banks. Marie taught in one-room schools for two years, then taught primary classes for another two years, after which she retired to raise her family of two children, Randall (Randy) and Carolyn.

In the classroom, Marie very much enjoyed teaching the primary children, and was very proud of the success she had in teaching reading and music, being certificated in these subjects and even tutoring neighbourhood children who were having reading difficulties.

She also enjoyed participating in church activities, having done so since her childhood in a cleric’s family. Before she retired from choir singing, she and her husband were both awarded certificates for having each served in church choirs for over 65 years.

Marie joined her husband during his days of being involved as a high school teacher and a part-time professor, and at the same time operated up to three businesses. Marie took the role of office manager and home manager while Doug was volunteering for various non-profit and professional organizations. Their combined success was largely due to Marie’s home management.

Marie was predeceased by her brother, Beecher Menzies of Clinton, and her sister-in-law, JoAnne (Warwick) Menzies of Toronto. These two are survived by their spouses, V.M. (Peggy Dippell) Menzies of Clinton and J. Alex Menzies of Toronto.

Marie is survived by her husband, Douglas Banks and their two children, Randall (Randy) Banks, and his wife Monique (Bennett) Banks and their children, Caelan and Mackenzie. Marie is also survived by their daughter, Carolyn and her husband, John Horn, as well as their two sons, Alexander and David. Also survived by her brother-in-law, Darryl Banks and his wife Cathie (Rogers). Missed by several nieces and nephews. 

A sincere appreciation is extended from Marie’s family to all those who assisted in easing her pain, extending her predicted life, while at the same time doing so with care, comfort and professionalism.

A visitation will be held at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, on Thursday, November 22, 2018 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., where the funeral service will be conducted on Friday, November 23, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.

Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Marie are asked to consider the London Scottish Rite Learning Centre for the free remedial tutoring of children affected with dyslexia. Alternatively, you may choose to contribute to the William Mercer Wilson Non-Profit Centre, for those needing affordable housing, the London Regional Cancer Program, or the charity of your choice. 

Charitable donations may be made to:

• London Regional Cancer Program
• William Mercer Wilson Non-Profit Centre
• London Scottish Rite Learning Centre

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