By Adamarie Tait
Correspondent
For over 27 years, Joan Banket worked at the College in the Office of Student Financial Services. Throughout the years, she created a positive environment among her colleagues in the offices of Green Hall. Surrounded by loved ones, Banket died on Feb. 5. As an information specialist, Banket helped many students at the College through the challenges of the financial aid process. Banket was well respected and admired by her colleagues. She was featured as one of the College’s 2017 President’s Dinner Honorees for her 20th anniversary as a staff member at the College.
Banket is described as a wonderful individual and a cherished member of the campus community. She showed immense kindness and care to her colleagues, as well as the students and families she worked with.
Right before her passing, Banket celebrated her 88th birthday. She was born on Feb. 2, 1937, in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. There, Banket was said to have built a life with principles of strength, love, and devotion to family.
Before joining the College’s staff and community, she previously worked as a bank manager for Old Borough Savings and Loan. Banket recently resided in Ewing Township where she was always surrounded by family and loved ones.
With much devotion, she truly loved being with her family. Her legacy lives as a proud and loving mother of four, as well as a grandmother to eight grandchildren and great-grandmother to eight.
Joan was said to have many hobbies. She is described in her obituary as a knowledgeable individual who loves a good challenge. Family and colleagues have stated that she could always be seen doing crossword puzzles — even the most difficult ones — and was said to be extremely talented at them. Banket was also said to always have a book in her hand, a true story lover and enthusiastic reader.
Banket did not only enjoy expanding her knowledge with indoor activities but also enjoyed many outdoor activities. She is said to have loved the beach and spending time by the pool. When she was younger, she also enjoyed traveling with her husband, creating lifelong memories.
On Feb. 12, Banket's life was honored with a memorial service at Wilson-Apple Funeral Home, and was surrounded by her family, friends, and colleagues. Banket was laid to rest in Newtown, Pennsylvania, about two hours away from where she grew up.
Banket was clearly a truly remarkable and respected person. With much love for her family and her kindness for others, she will truly be missed. Most importantly, her life will always be cherished. Her many years of service at the College will never be forgotten. As the College's Associate Vice President for Communications, Marketing and Brand Management, David Muha, stated in a campus-wide email, “She will be missed by all who had the pleasure to work with her on campus.”
