Marlene Banks

Hoosick Falls – Marlene Katherine (McGinnis) Banks, 81, widow of Glenn C. Banks, a resident of 10 Jackson Street, Hoosick Falls, NY, died Monday, November 14, 2011, at Albany Medical Center following a brief illness. Born in Troy, NY, on September 24, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Leon and Louise (Wago) McGinnis.
Marlene received her early education in Hoosick Falls and graduated from Hoosick Falls High School in 1947 where she met Glenn, who left high school to serve in the Navy. He returned to complete high school and to graduate with her class. Upon graduation, Marlene worked at the Albany Felt. She married “Banks,” the love of her life, on September 30, 1950. They started a family and, in the early 60s, began Banks Plumbing and Heating together.
Both Marlene and “Banks” enjoyed square dancing and camping. They spent many years traveling and camping from Maine to Florida with the Ace Capaders. They wintered in Florida after retirement.
Marlene was an excellent and accomplished seamstress, quilter and teddy bear maker. She made all of her daughters’ prom dresses and other attire for special occasions. She had been a member of the Peaceful Valley Quilters for many years. She loved making heirloom pieces. Her work will be treasured by her family for years to come.
Marlene became a hospice volunteer in the late 1990s, a role she found very rewarding and comforting. She was also an active member of the Immaculate Conception Parish. Marlene served on several committees, including Prayer and Worship. She was a Eucharistic Minister, a Lector and helped with many events and fund-raisers. She enjoyed presenting welcoming gifts, including an embroidered bonnet, to the newest members of the Church community at their Baptisms. Marlene greatly enjoyed helping in her Church community especially during a time of loss and mourning. She brought comfort and solace to many families and friends by helping them prepare during their time of loss and mourning.
Survivors include three daughters, Karen Hewson and husband Peter of Hoosick Falls, Susan Metcalfe and husband Wynn of Shaftsbury, VT, and Kelley Splaine and husband Robert of Lincolnville, ME, seven grandchildren, Rebecca Steller and husband William of Hoosick Falls, Jacob Hewson and wife Sandra of Ballston Spa, NY, Rachael Pawloski and husband Stephen of Sarasota, FL, Jennifer Metcalfe and husband David of Pownal, VT, Meghan Maguire and husband Joseph of Shaftsbury and Patrick and Ryan Splaine of Lincolnville, and three great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Banks is pre-deceased by her son, James Richard Banks, and her sister, Sandra McGinnis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, November 18, at 10 am from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial will follow the Mass in the family lot in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.
Relatives and friends may call at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, on Thursday evening from 5 to 7 pm. Should friends desire, memorial contributions in Marlene Banks’s memory can be made to the Immaculate Conception Church through the Funeral Home.