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Santo D'Agostino posted a condolence
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Cousin Jeanette is a beautiful spirit and we are so blessed to have known her. Sincere condolences to her beautiful family for their loss on her passing.
Peace and love,
Santo D'Agostino and Grace Cirocco
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The Family of Jeanette Banker posted a condolence
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Beautiful and loving thoughts from Bud Meade.
Dear Friends,
At 10:00 am on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, a dear friend, Jeanette D'Agostino Banker, abandoned the earthly vessel that sheltered her wonderful soul during her sojourn amongst us. I began writing this newsletter through a veil of tears but immediately realized that Jeanette would not want it that way. Instead, she would want me to share her favorite, very sincere, and often expressed statement that she repeated frequently right up to the end: "I am blessed."
High on her list of blessings are all of us that she knew and loved unconditionally, even those who might have unintentionally done her wrong. Having known Jeanette for more than 50 years, I do not recall her saying ill about anyone she had encountered in this life. We might have had conversations about people involved in activities or incidents that were not pleasant for her but she remained non-judgmental and excused adverse behavior with expressions such as "they have a different perspective on things."
She cherished family, church, colleagues and friends and they gave her purpose. Her love and caring endeared her to everyone she encountered and she was a shepherd to everyone in her flock by being attentive to their welfare. The flock of lifetime friends with whom she stayed in contact was extensive and included people from her youth, from her college years, and from throughout her career. By the simple acts of loving, caring and mentoring Jeanette created an unparalleled legacy in the life success of members of her flock.
It is hard to imagine that anyone associated with the SUNY College at Brockport could have ever attended more memorial events to pay respects to College employees than Jeanette. I know that there were occasions when she attended two funerals in one day giving support to the families of her colleagues and friends.
Jeanette would also be pleased to have me mention her own shepherds who attended to her needs during her physical decline. They include distinguished volunteer and nearly lifetime friend, Rosie Rich, nieces Mary Ockenden, and Nancy Ockenden Ragus, and Joan Hare, among others. She often spoke of how blessed she was to have them in her life.
I, along with all of you, have been blessed by having Jeanette D'Agostino Banker in my life and I will really miss her emails, sent at all hours of the day and night, our frequent conversations, her unconditional support, and her inspiration in my life.
Sometime ago I paid tribute to Jeanette's unparalleled contributions to the welfare of the College at Brockport and I would like to share it again. It is amazing to me that Jeanette was still contributing at least until two weeks ago by providing names for photographs of former faculty and staff and reviewing biographies for the College. Following is a tribute to Jeanette and notice of her death that Mike Andriatch shared yesterday followed by my previous tribute to her:
"All
It is with a very heavy heart that I share of the passing of our beloved Jeanette D'Agostino Banker '53 earlier today. Jeanette had been in palliative care at Strong Memorial Hospital since Sunday.
There never had been, and never will be again, another person like Jeanette. All of us who knew her were blessed to have spent time in her presence. She left indelible marks across our campus and College community and will be dearly, dearly missed.
A funeral Mass will be announced soon, and there will not be any prior calling hours. I'll keep you posted as I hear more. Please keep her large family and incredible number of friends and acquaintances in your prayers.
Thanks!
[Mike Andriatch]"
And, my earlier tribute:
"The following quote was uncredited when I lifted it from an early page in the SAGA Yearbook for 1954:
"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.' [Bible]
There have been a lot of changes since my first days as a personnel/human resources professional at The College at Brockport but I've been fortunate to count as a colleague, (sometimes 'boss', and always friend), a person who has not changed during her 67+ years of association with the College as she has remained a steadfast advocate for excellence in all things 'Brockport,' including students, faculty, staff, friends and policies, procedures, and performance. And in so doing her gift of 'charity' to all has been cherished by all who have known her or reaped the benefits of her contributions, which include her caring application of her coaching, teaching, mentoring, coordinating, administrating, and creating expertise in pursuing her personal goal to give her all to ensure that the College serves its constituencies at the highest possible level. And, for those who have known her, and worked with her, we know that, whereas she may not have removed mountains, she certainly had influence enough to 'move' many, while performing both her compensated and volunteer work for the College over the years.
The person I describe was known to be ahead of her time, and even, early on, ahead of enabling legislation, in pursuit of her goals. One example relates to the development of alumni affairs and scholarships. When I began working in Personnel/Human Relations in 1970, an alumni affairs office was not allowed by the university's oversight groups (e.g. the NYS Division of Budget and Elected Officials). In the late '70s, SUNY somehow convinced higher authorities to allow the creation of alumni offices and established budget titles that reflected these roles. The letter we received authorizing the creation of such titles contained clues to concerns the legislature and division of budget previously held. The authorization letter stated that colleges could not use alumni affairs to become a lobbying force to petition SUNY, the legislature, or the Governor, or to organize protests. I also believe the Division of Budget's previous concern was that if alumni activities included raising money (scholarships, etc.) it would be 'state' money that was not under its control. Fortunately, SUNY was able to convince the higher authorities that these resources would be necessary if SUNY was to become a quality university. More important, even before enabling laws, rules and legislation were to allow fundraising and alumni affairs, the College had alumna angels, like the one being described herein, who were keeping in contact with graduates, pushing for scholarship programs to attract the best students, and pushing for programs to support retirees and keep them in touch with the College. An example of the goodwill by the angel is her pushing to include the spouses of faculty in the Faculty/Staff Directory and to build a data base for emeriti/retirees. I felt the push from her and a handful of other angels to take on responsibility for some of this work and we were even able to ensure that a retiree component was included when a new SUNY-Wide Human Resource Data Management System that was created in the late '80s early '90s. The early work by a handful of angels, and the continuing work of the described angel, provided the foundation for much that has been accomplished in recent years to enhance the experience of all constituencies associated with The College at Brockport. And, the angel continues to have a profound influence in the areas of alumni relations, fund raising, and scholarships, among others. For example, while I know others may have had influence, as a result of the angel's persistence, a narrative description of the people/organizations with scholarships named for them will soon be available so that those applying for, and receiving, scholarships will be able to know something about their benefactor. It is a large project that has just gotten underway, but you may get an idea of where it is going by clicking the 'Donor' link at the top, left, of the Brockport Scholarships page that can be found at: https://brockport.academicworks.com/
It goes without saying that our angel has been and will continue to be a valuable resource to this project as she has memories of important information about many donors, in all categories (alums, faculty/staff, community, etc.).
Our angel would have shone in this life without them, but she had several now heavenly angels who provided some inspiration for her including the late Marguerite Hare (Peg) Browne, the late Harold Rakov, and the late Frances Moroney Whited, among others.
This angel's contributions as an employee at The College at Brockport included leadership involvement in the development of student teaching programs, international programs, and the concept of a student services center (the Rakov Center), among others. As a volunteer she maintained contact with faculty and staff and students she met along with way including the friends she made at Brockport, particularly those in her class, the Class of 1953; the faculty who taught her when she was a student and those she worked with throughout her career, and some would even say, she kept in touch with just about everyone she ever met that had some association with The College at Brockport. Through her work, many of these people continue to be remembered for their association with Brockport through their own, or their family's support of scholarships; the naming of buildings, rooms, trees, athletic fields, etc. Probably no other alumna, past or present, has had broader influence on the creation of memorial scholarships; the naming of memorial walkways, rooms, buildings; or the planting of trees than this Brockport angel.
As a result of this angel's efforts, she has, to the best of my knowledge, received awards from every organization to which she has belonged, and for her charitable volunteer services which includes her receipt of the 'Volunteer of the Year Award' at The College at Brockport, an award that was subsequently renamed as the 'Jeanette D'Agostino Banker Volunteer of the Year Award' to even more significantly honor her.
The College at Brockport's administrative officers, faculty and staff and students from about 1949 on through the present have been blessed, often even without their knowledge, by the work of Brockport's Angel-in-Residence, alumna, emerita, and volunteer extraordinaire, Jeanette D'Agostino Banker. At times, the things she proposed and monitored might have overwhelmed others who had to juggle their resources to respond to her suggestions, but her persistence frequently prevailed and they were uniformly, almost always, pleased with the outcomes.
I am personally honored that she accepted me into her cadre of 'close friends' and grateful for the inspiration her exemplary life of service has provided me.'
Memorial Plans and Memorial Donation information will be share when available.
Condolences to Jeanette's family and friends...we have been blessed!
Alfie
What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie,
Then I guess it's wise to be cruel.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie,
What will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie,
I know there's something much more,
Something even non-believers can believe in.
I believe in love, Alfie.
Without true love we just exist, Alfie.
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie.
When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie.
[by Burt Bacharach]
Dear Jeanette, thank you for sharing your "True Love," rest in peace!
Carpe Diem,
Bud
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Maureen Mcglynn uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, February 15, 2020
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Rest in peace dear friend. Forever in our hearts.
Jack Donahue
Maureen McGlynn
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Grace D’Agostino posted a condolence
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Oh my, I am very saddened to learn of this news. She was Cousin Jeanette to me and to my Siblings, to our late Dad, Frank D’Agostino and to our late Mom, Lucy Sacca D’Agostino. Our entire family in Canada so admired Cousin Jeanette. She was wonderful, warm and caring. Intelligent and beautiful. Well spoken and gracious. I will remember her with fondness and with love ❤️ ❤️ Until we meet again in Heaven
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Marcy lit a candle
Saturday, February 15, 2020
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The Bement family is saddened to hear about Jeannette’s passing. She was a very special person & wonderful friend to our family. She was a kind, thoughtful & beautiful lady. We are all better because we knew & had her in our life. Appreciate Bob Ockenden, Marcy’s Godfather contacting Sue Bement. God bless another angel in heaven.
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knutsenv@icloud.com uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, February 15, 2020
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The Brockport Class of 1964 was blessed to have Jeanette (aka "Miss D") as our class advisor. On June 12, 2018 three of us got together with her for the last time. As usual we had many laughs and good conversation. The lives of each of us were positively affected by her, each in a different way. What an extraordinary difference one beautiful life has made!
Valerie Knutsen
Patti Mesolella
Dianne LaMonica
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Tribute Store
Friday, February 14, 2020
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Warmest and sincere condolences to the family of Jeanette Banker from friends and colleagues at Inspire! Care 360.
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John Doser posted a condolence
Friday, February 14, 2020
“Jeanette always ended her emails, phone calls and visits with "Love You." I ended my last email to her Tuesday night with "Love You," but I didn't know she already had left us. I believe Jeanette heard me just the same. Angels and Saints are like that. ”
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Henry and Joanne Cinti purchased flowers
Thursday, February 13, 2020
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Dear Jeanette, We loved you dearly.
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Marie Cinti posted a condolence
Thursday, February 13, 2020
My deepest condolences to Jeanette's family. I knew Jeanette through my father, Henry Cinti, and I fondly remember having lunch with her about a year or so ago and really enjoyed speaking with her. She always impressed me as a tremendously interested and engaged person who really wanted to make a difference in people's lives. I will miss her and I know my parents will as well.
Marie Cinti
Penfield, NY
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Patricia E. Baker uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, February 13, 2020
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I gave this photo to Jeanette recently because it showed a happy friend celebrating a dear friend's book signing. This photo of Jeanette with dear friend and colleague Roy Bubb makes me feel happy viewing it. It was taken in Holley late fall of 2011. We all have our memories, many great memories of Jeanette. She touched the lives of thousands of people and positively improved all of those she could through her caring, involvement and attention.
Pat Baker
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Linda Forbes lit a candle
Thursday, February 13, 2020
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you where loved like no other. Rest in peace with all my love
J
The family of Jeanette Banker uploaded a photo
Thursday, February 13, 2020
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Marcia Proto uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
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A loving "aunt" who made an indelible impact on me and my family! Love always, Marcia Proto
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Kathryn Lasek Posted Feb 13, 2020 at 8:46 AM
I am so immensely blessed to have had the guiding force of Jeanette D'Agostino Banker in my life from day one. Our family has changed over the years with the joy of new members being born & treasured members leaving us. In all this time we have had Jeanette being our rock, our example of how to be with grace and dignity, and the one who did not merely dream but who lived a life of goals achieved, of mountains climbed, and a life well lived. I will miss her more than words can adequately express.
