Jodi Banfelder passed away peacefully while in hospice on May 15, 2025 in Phoenix, AZ.
A child of upstate New York's Columbia County, Jodi was born to Janice Banfelder (nee Maurer) and Phil Banfelder. She spent her formative years in Ghent, Harlemville, Philmont and Churchtown. In adulthood she lived in Albany and Rensselaerville, New York, later retiring to Phoenix, Arizona.
Jodi had plenty of New York sass, but her tough veneer could never completely hide a tender heart for animals of all kinds (especially horses, cats and dogs, in particular a certain Australian Shepard named Essie Mae), along with a select group of family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.
Earning a B.A. in Public Communication from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, Jodi graduated Cum Laude in 1993. The department chair lauded her "creative mind and particularly strong writing skills", calling Jodi a "bright, articulate and conscientious person", a list of personal qualities with which her loyal friends would surely agree.
Jodi was also streetwise, making her a powerful advocate for women and children. Excelling as a domestic violence caseworker at the Equinox Shelter in Albany and, later, Child Support Investigator for Albany County, Jodi comforted mistreated mothers and children while holding irresponsible fathers to account.
Her compassion for those on the margins of life also led Jodi to volunteer with a local homeless shelter, and she was well-known for rescuing cats from the streets, often bringing them into her own home.
Jodi possessed an undeniable flair for the dramatic, and pursued an array of creative interests. Her makings ranged from earrings and necklaces to feathered boas, fanciful face masks, collages and more. She won many online interior design competitions due to her good taste and eye for detail.
An avid music lover, Jodi worked in record shops while in college, becoming quite a musicologist. Favorite artists included the LeRoi Brothers, Elvis Costello, Roxy Music, Ricky Lee Jones, Patti Smith and Frank Zappa (as much for his sarcasm as his music); a wardrobe filled with band tees and sweatshirts allowed Jodi to display her rock and roll attitude everywhere she went.
Jodi is survived by brother Doug Banfelder and sister-in-law Brigida of Arizona, aunt Joanne Maurer, cousin Chip Maurer and wife Stephanie of Tennessee, and many cousins in the Wolfe, Moore, Bitterlich and Aulabaugh clans.
While we miss her greatly, it is comforting to know that we can keep Jodi close in our hearts and honor her memory by being kind to animals, helping the less fortunate, and enjoying the good company of those we love.
A Celebration of Life will be held in NY next summer.
A child of upstate New York's Columbia County, Jodi was born to Janice Banfelder (nee Maurer) and Phil Banfelder. She spent her formative years in Ghent, Harlemville, Philmont and Churchtown. In adulthood she lived in Albany and Rensselaerville, New York, later retiring to Phoenix, Arizona.
Jodi had plenty of New York sass, but her tough veneer could never completely hide a tender heart for animals of all kinds (especially horses, cats and dogs, in particular a certain Australian Shepard named Essie Mae), along with a select group of family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.
Earning a B.A. in Public Communication from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, Jodi graduated Cum Laude in 1993. The department chair lauded her "creative mind and particularly strong writing skills", calling Jodi a "bright, articulate and conscientious person", a list of personal qualities with which her loyal friends would surely agree.
Jodi was also streetwise, making her a powerful advocate for women and children. Excelling as a domestic violence caseworker at the Equinox Shelter in Albany and, later, Child Support Investigator for Albany County, Jodi comforted mistreated mothers and children while holding irresponsible fathers to account.
Her compassion for those on the margins of life also led Jodi to volunteer with a local homeless shelter, and she was well-known for rescuing cats from the streets, often bringing them into her own home.
Jodi possessed an undeniable flair for the dramatic, and pursued an array of creative interests. Her makings ranged from earrings and necklaces to feathered boas, fanciful face masks, collages and more. She won many online interior design competitions due to her good taste and eye for detail.
An avid music lover, Jodi worked in record shops while in college, becoming quite a musicologist. Favorite artists included the LeRoi Brothers, Elvis Costello, Roxy Music, Ricky Lee Jones, Patti Smith and Frank Zappa (as much for his sarcasm as his music); a wardrobe filled with band tees and sweatshirts allowed Jodi to display her rock and roll attitude everywhere she went.
Jodi is survived by brother Doug Banfelder and sister-in-law Brigida of Arizona, aunt Joanne Maurer, cousin Chip Maurer and wife Stephanie of Tennessee, and many cousins in the Wolfe, Moore, Bitterlich and Aulabaugh clans.
While we miss her greatly, it is comforting to know that we can keep Jodi close in our hearts and honor her memory by being kind to animals, helping the less fortunate, and enjoying the good company of those we love.
A Celebration of Life will be held in NY next summer.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jodi Lynn Banfelder, please visit our flower store.
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