Idaho Press Tribune, 06/04/08


Teresa Marie Banks passed away on Monday, June 2, 2008, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. The Lord God said of Teresa in His Song of all Songs, "You have captured My heart with one look of your eyes."
Teresa also captured the heart of her husband, Robert K. (Bob) Banks. They were high school sweethearts and were married on June 19, 1971. More than anything, Teresa loved being a wife and the mother of her two children, Ryan and Andrea, and her new son-in-law, Todd Rubin.
Being the oldest child of Ives and Nina Jones, Teresa was born on Nov. 23, 1948, in Malad City. She certainly captured the heart of her father who preceded her in death just a little more than a month ago. Her beloved mother, Nina, her brother Todd and his family, her sister Di, and all Jones and Banks families mourn her loss but celebrate her life. Teresa loved all her nieces and nephews but particularly loved having special days and doing special projects with her nieces Morgan and Jenna. Teresa loved living, laughing and loving! Her many, many friends are too numerous to mention by name, but she loved you all.
Growing up in Malad City, Teresa eventually moved with her family to Caldwell where she graduated from high school in 1967. She attended Ricks College and BYU and graduated with a degree in speech therapy in 1971. After marrying Bob and following him in the Air Force and living in San Antonio, Texas, and Tempe, Ariz., Bob and Teresa came back to the Boise area where they have lived since 1980.
She worked as a speech therapist until her children were born and then focused her energy and attention upon them. Teresa loved the out-of-doors and the beauty of Idaho but one of her special spots was the cabin that she and Bob shared with Bob's parents, Chuck and Betty Banks.
All who knew Teresa were captured by her heart of love and the look of her beautiful blue eyes. She was the past president of Lexington Hill Home Owner's Association as well as volunteer extraordinaire at Eagle schools.
Teresa loved doing for others and making others look really good. Even though she did not want a big fuss made of her passing, the family invites you to a special celebration of her life. So on Friday, June 6, at 10 a.m. at Hillview United Methodist Church, 8525 Ustick, in Boise, her family has planned a spontaneous celebration in her honor. Arrangements are under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, Boise.
Her understanding heart would be blessed by any memorial given to any charity. However, it was Teresa's wish that memorials be made to ECHO, "Everyone Can Help Out," an educational foundation established by her son-in-law to help with college scholarships. This was her preference in lieu of flowers. People can donate on line at www.echocf.org or ECHO Headquarters, 9064 161st Ct. NE, Redmond, WA 98052.
The entire family wishes to thank the many, many friends for their acts of kindness, wonderful gifts of food and flowers, but especially all their love and prayers.
Published in the Idaho Press Tribune on 6/4/2008.