Mary Jo (Sinnott) Banks passed away Thursday, May 28 at her home in Beaverdale surrounded by her daughters, Suzie and Shelly. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Bill Banks.
Mary Jo was born March 24, 1939 to an Irish Catholic family in Georgetown, Iowa. Growing up on a farm, she was active in 4H and loved animals. She also enjoyed reading, music, and meeting new people. Her passion was genealogy and she delighted in sharing stories about her ancestors. She loved to travel and her most favorite places were Ireland, Medjugorje, and the farm in Georgetown. Her faith, family, and Irish heritage remained the treasured foundation of her life until the very end.
After finishing school she moved to Des Moines and took a job at Bankers Life. There, she became proficient on one of the first computers in the state of Iowa. She later became area supervisor for the TOPS program, organizing and speaking at local, state, and national events. Her career and education in later years lead her to the transportation field where she worked until she retired.
Mary Jo was a strong, smart, independent woman. She spoke her mind and achieved her goals. Devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary she was very active in her churches – St. Patrick’s of Georgetown, Holy Trinity in Des Moines to St. Mary’s of Chandler, Arizona. At each, she was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society and volunteered her time in other church activities.
She is survived by her children, Christopher Banks, Suzie Fredregill (Ray), and Shelly Banks; her grandchildren, Meaghan Foshe (Grant), Ian Fredregill, and Zachary Banks; and her great-grandson, Cameron. She is also survived by her sisters, Cathy “Sis” McGinn (Jim) and Margie Archibald (Pat), as well as many much-loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Banks, her parents Bill and Katie (O’Neill) Sinnott of Georgetown, her brother Joe Sinnott (Connie), and her sister, Regina Sinnott.
Services at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Georgetown will be held at a later date due to the closure of Highway 34 near the church. A memorial mass in Des Moines at Holy Trinity is forthcoming.
