Mary Frances Stockley Banks, devoted to family
Mary Frances Stockley Banks, 84, of Georgetown, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, at Beebe Healthcare surrounded by family.
Born May 1, 1938, to William Alfred Stockley and Frances (Johnson) Stockley of Georgetown, Mary graduated from Georgetown High School in 1956. She married her childhood sweetheart David Alfred Banks of Millsboro in September 1959, and they shared 63 wonderful years and raised four children together.
Mary graduated from the Beebe School of Nursing in Lewes as a registered nurse in 1959. She spent more than 20 years helping families across Sussex County stay healthy through nursing positions at Beebe Hospital in Lewes, Nanticoke Hospital in Seaford, Seashore Medical in Lewes, and Harrison House of Georgetown. She also helped her husband David start a family business, and served as secretary and bookkeeper for David A. Banks Inc. until her passing.
Mary was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who was always there for her family. She routinely hosted large gatherings and chaperoned class field trips. Mary even volunteered her skills to help keep the award-winning Sussex Central Junior High School Band marching by following behind them, nursing bag in tow. She volunteered for the Girl Scouts and cheered kids on at ballgames, drill team competitions and other events. She also enjoyed helping her children raise their own families and never hesitated to be wherever she was needed for her grandchildren.
In her spare time, Mary was an avid reader, soap opera enthusiast and canasta player. She enjoyed traveling to tropical destinations like Bermuda and Hawaii, and to countless historic sites and attractions across the country. Among her favorite pastimes were Sunday drives around Delmarva with David.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Lou Anne Banks of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; sons Mark Banks of Georgetown, Keith Banks of Lewes, and Kyle Banks (wife Michele) of Georgetown; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Katharine Ritter (husband Ronald) of Lewes; and sisters-in-law, Joyce White (husband Gerald) of Georgetown, Dollie Banks of Millsboro, and Virginia Banks of Georgetown. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her sisters Wilma Wright and Marie Willin, and brothers-in-law Norman Wright and William (Bill) Willin. She also was preceded by her beloved husband David who passed just 10 days before her.
At Mary’s request, all visitation and services will be private with interment at Union Cemetery in Georgetown.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to Georgetown CHEER Meals on Wheels Program, 546 South Bedford St., Georgetown, DE 19947.
Online condolences are welcome for the family at shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com.
