BANNING, Mary Janice

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Saturday, June 20, 2015 Mary Janice Banning, of Prescott, Arizona, born Feb; 16, 1929 in Toledo, Ohio, passed away June 17, 2015 in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Arrangements by Neptune Society. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Sunday, June 28, 2015 Mary Janice Banning passed away June 17, 2015. She was born Feb. 16, 1929, in Toledo, Ohio. She was 86. She was preceded in death by the May 9, 2011 passing of her daughter Diane to cancer and her husband of 27 years, Richard, who 16 years to the day, passed away June 17, 1999. The Veteran's Cemetery in Phoenix is where she will lay, alongside Richard. After WWII, Mary made her way to Southern California. The early 60s brought Mary to Arizona, first settling in Winslow, then in 1965, Prescott. She called Humboldt and Prescott Valley home from mid 90s through 2007. The wonderful caregivers at Granite Gate Senior Living in Prescott with an assist from New Horizons in Prescott Valley took care of her from February 2007 on. Thank you caregivers. A traditional, no nonsense, wife, mother of two and four stepchildren, Mary was a natural when outdoors. She had a strong love and passion for all animals. Dogs, cates and horses were always by her side. Awaiting her arrival in heaven are her horses Aspen, Yogi, Rebel and Teak; dogs Shadow, Tim, Andy, Studly, Turbo and Sophie; barn cats Fred and Barney. Early on, Mary was an avid CB'er and in the late 60s, founded the AZ Camper Coach Club. A member of channel 9's "REACT," she loved camping, hiking and riding horseback. Hand her a chainsaw in those days and soon you would have a chord of cut Juniper. Finally, Mary was a volunteer, active not only with the historical preservation of Prescott and its network of trails, but she served in all duties at the Humane Society in the 1970s through the 80s, including Treasurer and Board Member. So the family asks that in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Humane Society, shelter or rescue of your choice in Mary's memory. She leaves behind her son Don; sister Pat; along with children through marriage, Dave, Mitty, Bob and Bill. Also riding partners and good friends, including 96-year-young Dorothy, will miss her. Celebration of Life will take place July 20, 2015 in San Juan Capistrano, California. For information, call Bob at 928-910-9184. Information provided by survivors.