Mary Elizabeth Banks

09/24/1931 - 03/25/2011

BANKS, Mary Elizabeth
(Age 79)

Betty Banks was born Mary Elizabeth Rowles on September 24, 1931 in Spokane to Thekla and William Lloyd Rowles, who was head of the music department at Cheney Normal School, today known as Eastern Washington University. She passed away embraced with peace and love on March 25, 2011. Music was always an important element throughout her life. She grew up in Cheney with her brother Billy, learning to play piano from her Daddy and later flute which she played in jazz bands and symphony in Spokane. She married her high school sweetheart Lloyd D. Banks and together they had two sons, David and Steven. Her second marriage to William Brewster blessed her with a third son, Mark. She loved being outdoors and was quite an adventurer. Hiking, working in the yard, mountaineering and spending time at the lake gave her a great sense of freedom and accomplishment. Never afraid to try something new, she learned to water ski at 40, snow ski at 50, and went zip lining in Costa Rica in her late 60s. She worked for years as an accountant with the Federal Land Bank and traveled as an auditor to branches in the Northwest Region. She was a strong supporter and participant in Spokane Civic Theatre, Spokane Symphony and the League of Women Voters. After retirement she followed her parent's example and traveled around the world, eventually visiting all seven continents. Her last adventure took her to the Antarctic where she fondly and enthusiastically became acquainted with that continent's inhabitants, the lovable penguin. One of her passions in retirement was archeology. She was a member of the Archeological Society in Spokane. On several occasions she traveled with a group of archeologists as a volunteer to several active digs around the world. In Jordan she discovered an Athenian coin from the 4th century BC. It was the oldest relic discovered at the site. Betty was very active and lovingly supported her church, second Church of Christ Scientists in Spokane. Mom is survived by her three sons, her daughter-in-love Karen, four grandchildren, Jason, Erick, Lisa, and Alamea, and seven great grandchildren, Tanyon, Soyer, Alayna, Owen, Angus, Caitlyn and Samantha. Per Mom's request, in lieu of a service or flowers please donate to your own favorite charity or one of Mom's passions listed above. The family would like to express their deepest love and gratitude to all the staff at Guardian Angel Homes in Liberty Lake and Hospice of Spokane for all the tender loving care Mom received.
You made us all feel so loved.