Debora Jean Banks, 59, of Milton Mills, NH, passed away peacefully after a long illness in her home on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025. Debbie was the daughter of David and Nancy Huggard, the second child of three girls. She was born in Rochester, NH, and lived there until her family moved to Milton Mills in her teenage years. She attended and graduated from Nute High School in Milton, NH, in the early summer of 1984, before marrying her prom date & sweetheart, Stanley Day Banks, on August 4th, 1984. Stan, who graduated prior, would attend basketball games as she cheered. Together they settled into their own home in Milton Mills, where they raised their family until 1999, when they moved next door to a bigger house and spent the remainder of their lives.
Debbie, who firmly believed in nurturing children, served as a leader of “Helping Hands” 4H Group and Sunday school/VBS teacher at Nute Ridge Bible Chapel for several years. She also chaperoned for Milton Community Action in a program that allowed local children to attend theme parks together. Her efforts contributed to “Helping Hands” winning several awards both in the Milton Independence Day Celebration and the Rochester Fair. She also helped her mother with Brownies as a teenager. Debbie was actively involved in her children’s lives, taking them to and assisting with various activities, including Olympians, Cub Scouts, after-school programs, and sports. She also personally home-schooled them for many years.
Debbie enjoyed sewing, crocheting, painting, jewelry craft, and computer games. She fashioned blouses, dresses, jumpers, and costumes for herself and her children. She crocheted hats, scarves, booties, and many other things for her children, grandchildren, Sunday school students, and even strangers. When she was younger, she also enjoyed swimming, water skiing, dancing, cheerleading, in-line skating, and tea parties with friends & children. She especially loved camping and would take her children and their friends to White Lake State Park in Tamworth, NH, every year. A tradition enjoyed alongside her late grandparents, Simeon and Mildred Guyer, and sister Amanda Boggs’ family. Debbie was especially close with her younger sister Beth and often spent time with her both at home and on trips, such as going to the beach.
Debbie worked as the head librarian of Milton Free Public Library in Milton Mills for several years, as well as a Post Office clerk at Milton Mills Post Office. The Summer reading program she ran was a big hit every year. As a Christian, she attended Acton Milton Mills Baptist Church in Acton, ME, where she was baptized, and later attended Nute Ridge Bible Chapel in Milton, NH, with her family from 1998 on. Debbie further enhanced her education by completing a cosmetology program at Pierre’s School of Cosmetology in Sanford, ME, where she won a competition for nail art design with her “SpongeBob SquarePants” theme.
Debbie is survived by Stanley, her husband of 41 years, a daughter Shawnicee (Banks) Gatton and her husband Greg of Alton NH, a son Kyle Banks of Milton Mills NH, a daughter Arianna (Banks) Mallock and her husband Joshua of Milton Mills NH, a grandson Noah Banks, and five granddaughters, Sophie Banks, Eva Mallock, Tessa Banks, Mira Mallock, and Marceline Mallock. She is also survived by her mother, Nancy, mother-in-law Loretta, and sisters Amanda & Beth.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, Aug. 23rd, 2025, at Nute Ridge Bible Chapel, 99 Nutes Road, Milton, NH, 03851, immediately followed by a reception downstairs. Guests may greet the family and offer condolences as early as 10 am.
Cremation care by Peaslee Funeral Home of Farmington, NH, to express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com
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