Norwich Bulletin; Norwich CT; 2009-8-13

Patricia Ann (Lake) Banning March 19, 1932 - August 11, 2009 Willimantic
- Patricia Ann (Lake) Banning, 77, died Tuesday (Aug. 11) at Middlesex
Hospital in Middletown after a courageous battle against many obstacles
stemming from a broken hip sustained in December. She was born March
19, 1932, in New Brunswick, N.J., to Charles and Ann Lake. She moved
to Connecticut at a young age, graduated from Norwich Free Academy and
earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Eastern Connecticut
State College. She did additional graduate work at Wesleyan, UConn and
Central Connecticut. Pat married Frederick Banning on April 5, 1952,
in Norwich. He predeceased her in 1993. They lived in Willimantic their
entire 41-year marriage, and Pat remained a resident until her recent
hospitalization. Pat taught math in the Windham Public Schools for her
entire career. She was named Windham Teacher of the Year in 1991 and
was a finalist for the state award that year. She remained active after
retirement as a part-time mathematics consultant at the Connecticut
Department of Education for three years. She was a member of the state,
district, regional and national mathematics teachers association, and was
a speaker/presenter at various math conferences throughout the nation. Pat
served 10 years on the board of directors of the regional United Way and
was on the alumni association board at Eastern. She enjoyed math puzzles,
reading, the beach (especially East Beach and Newport), music, going
to the movies and lunch with friends, especially the 'birthday club'
and retired teachers of Windham. She found great comfort as an active
church member, youth group adviser, vestry and choir member. Pat is
survived by a sister, Janet Hakola, and her husband, Ron, of Fremont,
Calif.; a daughter, Cathy Kendrick, of North Windham; a son, Chuck,
and his wife, Susan, of Colchester; and three grandchildren, Caroline,
Alison and Luke Banning, all of Colchester; as well as several nieces and
cousins. She was predeceased by a son, Douglas, in 2000. The family thanks
the staff at Harrington Court in Colchester and the Hospice Care Unit
at Middlesex Hospital for its tremendous support during this difficult
time. Calling hours are Sunday from 6:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Potter
Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic. A funeral service and memorial
is Monday at 10:00 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 199 Valley St.,
Willimantic. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu
of flowers, the family asks donations in Pat's honor be made to the
Frederick W. Banning Memorial Scholarship Fund at Windham High School,
355 High St., Willimantic 06226. Please visitwww.potterfuneralhome.com
for online memorial guest book.