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Joan Marie Banich

1960 - 2014

BORN

1960

DIED

2014

About

Blanchet High School Santa Clara University

Joan Banich Obituary

Joan Marie Banich

Campbell, California

Joan Marie Banich passed away peacefully at home on Friday May 2nd in Campbell, CA. surrounded by many loved ones.

Joan personified a life well-lived and touched many lives worldwide in her short time. While battling the bone marrow disease MDS for the past 11 years, she continued working at Cisco Systems while also being involved in GWLN (Women Leaders of the World) and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Team in Training.

Joan was a graduate of Blanchet High School and Santa Clara University, a loving daughter and great mom and partner, an Aaron Gordon fan, a mentor, a hiker, an entrepeneur. She will be missed by all!

Born in France on November 14, 1960, she is survived by parents Al and Lorraine Banich of Magnolia, sisters Peggy Hughes (Bill), Mary Clipsham (Barry) , all of the Seattle area. Sister Cathy Bates (James) of Reno, as well as her husband Dave and daughter Atley Keller of Campbell, Ca. She is pre-deceased by her brother Steven.

Thanks to all at Seattle Cancer Care, and especially Ian Anderson of the Hutch.

Services will be announced. In lieu of flowers, Joan would have liked you to make a donation to either the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, bethematch.org, or the Hutch.

CELEBRATE LIFE!

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times from May 8 to May 11, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Joan Banich

Sponsored by The Family.

14 Entries

Maggie (Moge) Mallett

May 3, 2025

She has not been forgotten!

April 26, 2015

My sympathies go out to the Banich family for your loss. Even though time has passed the pain is still present. May you continue to depend on God to help you cope. He is "a secure refuge in times of distress." (Psalms 9:9)

Marty Pell

January 13, 2015

It was a punch to the gut to here that Joan has passed. As a classmate at SCU and a co-worker of her husband Dave in the years that followed, I grew fond of Joan -- warm, friendly and happy. I did not keep up with Joan or Dave as the years elapsed, to my loss. Goodbye Joan, you left us too soon. And my heartfelt sympathy to Dave and all of Joan's family.

Jack Aiello

June 20, 2014

As a fellow honoree for Team In Training, I first met Joan 6-7 years ago. We spoke alot about her brother who shared the same diagnosis of Myeloma that I have and was sorry to learn from Joan that he died. Joan & I would see each other occassionally at various LLS functions. What a wonderful personality and joyful spirit she possessed. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for youir loss. I'll miss her.

Andrea Chonko

June 2, 2014

Dear Dave, Atley, Uncle Emil, Aunt Lorraine, my dear cousins and their families.

There are no adequate words. My heart goes out to all of you during this difficult time.

I treasure the times I shared with Joan. Her smile lit up a room, drawing you in, always making you feel welcome. When I think of her now I can see her laughing and sharing good times.

Growing up, I knew her as my younger cousin nicknamed “Frenchie” or “Red” by our Uncle Frank. As an adult I came to know Joan as a bright, creative, dynamic woman who embraced life with wonder and passion.

I admired Joan for many things, particularly her commitment to global women's issues and the development of strong women leaders. I admired the way she lived her life - balancing family, work, friends, and community. Amazingly, she did it all. It seemed that Joan was involved in everything. Her tagline was “Trying to make a difference in the world.” But for Joan, there never was any “trying,” She straight forward “did it.” She made a difference in the lives of everyone she touched.

Joan had a strength of character that many would envy. Her spirit was indomitable. She taught us to bravely face adversity with grace and with courage. The love and affection she had for her family shone through, particularly whenever she spoke of her “Little Joan,” her beloved Atley.

I admired Joan, but closer to my heart, I felt for Joan like she was the little sister I never had. She was my friend. She touched my soul. I will miss her deeply. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to talk to her one last time and tell her that I loved her.

All of you remain in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord bless you with courage and strength. And may the memories of love you have shared bring you peace and comfort now and in the days ahead.

All my love,

Your niece, your cousin,

Roger Kolins

May 25, 2014

To Dave,

On my first visits to Campbell you and Joan took me in and made me feel at home, one, with family. I was only becoming a part of the “Chonko” clan, kind of shy, and you and Joan made me feel like a long time “Banich-Keller”.

I remember Joan vividly barbecuing with you out back, and as she shared her favorite Pacific Heights, San Francisco restaurant, with Andrea and I. But always, my thoughts draw back to the weekend you and Joan introduced us to Cold Stone Creamery and to the Campbell Street Farmers' Market. Cold Stone was new then and it was a delightful adventure, made forever special by your and Joan's company. With a smile and warmth, this is the Joan I always remember.

I mourn Joan's passing, and I am deeply sorry for your and Atley's loss.

Roger Kolins

Roger Kolins

May 25, 2014

To Emil, Lorraine, & Banich Family

Joan and Dave were always that oasis of home, far away, off in California. Andrea and I had a few chances to visit Joan, Dave, and Atley in Campbell. When we did, I never realized that we were in the heart of Silicon Valley. For us Joan and Dave opened their home and made it feel that they were our family next door. We had barbeque out back, and on a weekend they would introduce us to the Campbell Street Food Fair and to the Cold Stone Creamery. Cold Stone was new then. Visiting them was family, friends, home, and adventure.
On other visits Joan and Dave explored San Francisco with Andrea and me. Joan shared what I remember was a great hide-away restaurant in Pacific Heights that was a favorite of hers. Andrea and I love San Francisco. Joan and Dave made it better.
We are happy that we had the good fortune to have Joan and Dave and California all together. Our hearts were open, we shared laughs and smiles, and we had each other. These are the times I will always remember. I will miss Joan, and miss not having more visits to remember.
I will never forget the bright and good times I and Andrea had with Joan. I feel fortunate to have had them. Bittersweet, I will miss forever that I can have no more time with Joan, but I will love recalling and be forever grateful for the good times with Joan and Dave I had the grace to have. I mourn Joan's passing, and I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Roger Kolins

Let her continue to soar ~

Bertita Graebner

May 19, 2014

It is with regret I hear of Joan's passing.
I did not know her. I knew of her.
I looked forward to meeting her. I anticipated our friendship..

I rejoiced to hear of her release from hospital and with expectation discovering we were to meetup at a SCU event - where I heard of our loss.

My surprise and disappointment were quite present with me.

I trust in her continued unfolding over time in the lives of those who knew her in this life and her continued presence through them in and over the workings of time.

Let her continue to soar . . .

May 13, 2014

Chinmoyee Deshpande

May 13, 2014

Will forever miss your smile.attitude and friendship. May your soul rest in peace.

May 9, 2014

Dear Banich Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Joan's passing. Please accept my sincere condolences and prayers for healing. I have so many fond childhood memories playing at your house and attending school functions with everyone.
Trish Campbell (Patty Sullivan)

May 9, 2014

Dear Banich Family,
I am so sorry and shocked to hear about Joan. Whenever I am in Magnolia, I drive by and remember all the good times growing up with your children. Your family has been through so much and my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love, Mary Lagucik Williams-Maphet

Maggie Mallett

May 8, 2014

Dear Banich family, Dave and Atley, I am so sorry to hear about Joan's passing. We went to Blanchet together and were friends, although not really close. Joan was always so very nice, smiling, laughing and positive. I wish we had been close! I remember talking with her before the reunion about coming up- and she said she was planning on it. I was so happy she made the effort to come, but had no idea she was so ill! She never let on, and at our reunion I was so impressed with her in many ways, but mainly that she had actually come and her excitement to be there, still not knowing of her illness. It was great to see her, and she seemed so happy! I know you all must be very proud of the full, incredible life she lived and shared with you. I'm so very sorry for your loss. My Best, Maggie (Moge) Mallett, Blanchet, class of '78

Terri & Phil

May 7, 2014

To all the Banichs and Dave and Atley,
We are so saddened to hear of Joan's passing. She was such an inspiration to those fighting MDS and other cancers. She was a bright light and an engaging human being. We treasure the photos she took while we were all in Italy - she was such a creative soul. We send comfort and healing thoughts from Bainbridge.
Phil & Terri

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