Marion M. (Banks) Peet

Rochester: Monday, August 18, 2014. At the age of 97. She was predeceased by her loving husband of almost 30 years, Clinton; her sister, Alberta Robbins & brother, William Banks. She is survived by her daughter, Margaret "Margy" Peet (Rod Bailey); 4 Grandchildren, Kim (Joe) Guelli, Victoria (Tony) Brock, James (Jill) Bailey, Christina (Ben) Chronister; 13 Great-Grandchildren; Brother, Bruce (Marilyn) Banks; & several Nieces & Nephews.

Please join the family to share memories on Thursday from 5-7 PM at the Crawford Funeral Home (495 N. Winton Rd. between Browncroft & Humbolt). Marion's Memorial Service will be held on SATURDAY (9/13) at 12PM at St. John's Nursing Home (150 Highland Ave., 14620). Private interment at the Moravian Cemetery in Newfoundland, PA. Please consider honoring Marion with a donation to your Public Television Station or St. John's Nursing Home. Online Condolences welcomed at:
www.CrawfordFuneralHome.com

LIFE STORY

Marion grew up on a family farm and enjoyed some independence after graduating from high school by moving to Scranton, PA to complete business school. She met her husband to be while working at a Pocono Mountain resort before she then got her first secretarial job in Harrisburg, PA at the State Veterinarian's office. Marion enjoyed day trips to New York City or hosting her younger siblings in Harrisburg. She took in the 1939 World's Fair several times and then got married and started a career in Binghamton in 1942. During the war years, Marion worked at Ansco Film where she enjoyed the added responsibilities given to women in that time period. Other work experiences that Marion especially enjoyed included stints at the Broome County District Attorney's Office and the Susquehanna Valley Home. Marion loved "women's lib" when it became a common term in the 60s and 70s and looked for ways to incorporate it into her life and that of her daughter's. She was on board and could tell you how gender inequality affected her.

Marion enjoyed being a girl scout leader both before and after having her daughter, and continued to work while parenting. Marion was a skilled seamstress sewing clothing for herself and her daughter and greatly missed the ability to sew as her eyesight deteriorated in her 90's. Marion enjoyed history, especially Pennsylvania history and natural history as presented to her on PBS.

Marion enjoyed travel, with pilgrimages to the 1964 World's Fair, train trips to visit family in Arizona, New Mexico, and Michigan, and bus trips with friends and family. Marion enjoyed frequent get togethers with her siblings and families throughout her life.

Marion was an active member of Lutheran churches in Binghamton and Rochester and especially enjoyed participating in women's group activities at the churches.

Marion enjoyed her siblings, her nieces and nephews, her grandchildren and great grandchildren and was devoted to keeping track of and acknowledging birthdays of all of her relatives. She enjoyed the chaos that ensued at family gatherings and apparently heard a lot more than we sometimes thought she did. Marion had a fabulous memory for almost everything that interested her. In her later years Marion adapted to her reduced mobility and quickly embraced the ability to bend the ear of her caregivers, grudgingly adhere to her exercise regimen, and share her strong opinions on certain businesses, organizations, or corporations that she disapproved of.

Marion was very appreciative of all of the people that took such good care of her and who cared about her. Every person who talked to, listened to, and/or assisted Marion brought added value to her life, and she and her family feel blessed to have these people add value to their lives. Marion and her family give thanks daily for the wonderful caregivers and friends that Marion had at home, on Reservoir 4 of St. John's Home, and from Lifetime Care Hospice. We all hope you know who you are.

The most difficult challenge for Marion in recent years was the loss of her eyesight, which had been her biggest fear. She eventually adapted even to that, but life became much more difficult without sight. Marion wanted to be oriented to time, literally, to her dying day. There is a time for everything...a time to be born, a time to die...

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