Hattie May Banas (Bishop) of Deerfield, MA formally of Amherst, NY, formally of Easthampton,MA, passed away peacefully on December15 th, 2020. She was 99 years old.
Hattie was born on June 23, 1921 in Lisbon, NY the 10th child of the late Paul J. and Catherine (Gardner) Bishop. In her younger years her family moved to Easthampton, MA. where she was educated in the local schools. Hattie met and married the late Chester S. Banas (died in 1973) They were married at the Immaculate Conception Church in 1942. Hattie was an active member of the church. They lived on Terrace View (the green) in Easthampton later they built a home on East Street and raised 5 children. Hattie and Chet were always surrounded by family, brothers and sisters live next door where their watchful eyes kept track of those 5 children. Hattie loved having everyone close. She loved her family and helped to coordinate many gatherings, being one of 12, these could be very large gatherings. She is predeceased by all her brothers and sisters and missed them very much. She loved a full house.
She worked in several local production plants in Easthampton and Holyoke. She tried doing piecework but could never understand why anyone would want to move that quickly. She loved to take her time and savor every moment.
Hattie and Chet enjoyed many a happy time at the American Legion hall Post 224 in Easthampton, where she was the Chaplin of the American Legion Auxillary. They had many friends at the Legion and she missed helping with dinners and dancing afterwards.
After Chet passed away leaving an empty space in her heart, she was comforted by her family and friends. She sold the house and moved to Hannumbrook Drive. She had said many times how much she loved that house. It was then that she starting working in Holyoke at the National Blank Book company.
Eventually she decided to move to Amherst, NY where she took up residence at Peppertree Drive and made many new friends. She belonged to the Red Hat Society where she helped cut coupons for the Veterans aid a group she was very proud of, “where would we be without of our Veterans” she would say. She also was a part of the Senior Center Travel Club. One of herfavorite trips was a cruise where she was brought on the stage with Dom Delouise and shelooked like natural for the camera. She has a picture of herself and Dom that she treasured.
While living in NY Hattie was loved by her daughter Pat Senecal (deceased) her caring son-in-law Leo Senecal and their children Keith and Chrissy Senecal and Renee Senecal. Hattie spent over 20 years as part of that close family. Caring for them and then they caring for her. Many a trips was made to local casino’s and 1000’s of entries to Publishers Clearing house hoping to hit it big. She dreamed of having enough money to take every member of her family on a long vacation. She truly would have loved to have traveled more.
Hattie relocated to Deerfield, MA to be closer to her family in Easthampton. It was here she passed her time enjoying crazy outings with family she had not not seen in many years. Hattie loved her sweets and could often be found with a donut in hand. She loved her coffee hot, Red Roses, having her hair done and getting her nails painted the same color as those red roses. She was a great story teller always always having a witty thing to say.
Hattie’s constant compassion and love for all never faded throughout her 99 years of life. She was truly loved and respected by all that met her and she touched so many other’s through our loving stories about her. Her wit was tops.
Hattie has 11 grandchildren, 15 greatgrandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. All of them have been an active part of her life and she has cherished each and every one them. Hattie always spoke highly of her grandchildren and loved hearing about their accomplishments.
She is predeceased by her loving husband Chester S. Banas , a loving son, Chester(Snooky) Banas, loving daughter Patricia A. Senecal, and a grandson Adam Banas. Also her parents and her 11 brothers and sisters .We pray they are all together having one of those special family gatherings.
She is survived by her sons, John Banas, wife Karen of Arizona, Jeffrey Banas, wife Darlene of Easthampton, and daughter Debra Sjodahl, husband Tom of Deerfield.
A Christian Burial will be held on January 9, 2021 at 10 am at Our Lady of the Valley Church with burial in St. Brigid’s Cemetery both of Easthampton. All are welcome to attend
A Celebration of Hattie’s life will be held in June when she would have turned 100.
www.mitchellcofuneralhome.com
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