Janet Bankowski

Janet A. Bankowski VIRGINIA BEACH - Janet Aucoin Bankowski, 78, joined her beloved husband Aug. 18, 2011. A loving wife, mother, sister and friend, she will be greatly missed as the matriarch of the Bankowski family. Janet was born April 11, 1933 in Leominster, Mass., to William and Alice Aucoin of Ayer, Mass. She grew up in Ayer and graduated from Ayer High School in 1950. From there Janet went to Salem Teacher's College, earning a teaching degree in 1954, and then continued her education by completing a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Boston College. While working at BC she met her husband Walt, married in 1957, raised a family of seven children, and enjoyed 53 years of marriage. Janet was a unique woman and a leader from the very beginning. She was a top student, popular friend, and all-around sports star. Janet was part of the first woman's basketball team to play in the Boston Garden while in high school. She was an accomplished bowler, winning high average year after year in local leagues. Golf was her latest love, picking up the game again after many years. Janet and Walt moved to Virginia Beach in 1964 with the Navy and never left. They joined St. Nicholas Catholic Church and immediately became leaders in the parish. Janet was a teacher, lay reader, Eucharistic minister, and retired as the youth minister. She touched so many lives in her 47 years at the church, young and old, and was active with other local churches and as a diocese representative. Her involvement continued in Children Remembered, a support group for parents and grandparents who are dealing with the death of their children, and We Are Family, a support group for gay and lesbian persons, their families, and friends. Janet loved to travel with Walt and did so with the "Super Sloopers," a sailing group, many cruises, and on her most recent trips to Greece and Washington. Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Walt; children, Peter Bankowski and Jennifer Townsend; and brother, Bill Aucoin. She is survived by her sister, Betty Britton and husband Bob of Westerly, R.I., and children Walter F. Bankowski Jr. and wife Lyn of Oak Harbor, Wash., Lisa Ann Wilmot and husband Steve of Cold Harbor, Va., Andrew G. Bankowski and wife Charlotte of Virginia Beach, Susan Mary Russell and husband Will of Charlottesville, Va., Paul M. Bankowski and wife Amy of Austin, Texas, and son-in-law Nick Townsend of Timberville, Va. She was known as Nana to her grandchildren, Nick, Marina, Elizabeth, Stella, Sophie, Isaac, and Ashley. A celebration of her amazing and influential life will be held at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Virginia Beach on Friday, Aug. 26, at 5:30 p.m. A reception to share stories will follow in the church social hall. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure or St. Nicholas Church. Cremation will be handled by the Cremation Society of Virginia. Condolences can be made to the family at www.cremate.org. "Awesomeness transcended!"