Catherine (Kay) Irene (Harrington) Banks

Catherine (Kay) Irene (Harrington) Banks January 29, 1917 October 24, 2016 Catherine ""Kay"" Irene (Harrington) Banks passed peacefully on October 24, 2016 due to pneumonia at the Barron Center, Portland, Maine with her daughter Cathy and son Jim nearby. She was born on January 29, 1917 to Catherine I. (Lyden) and Joseph F. Harrington in Greenwood, Maine. Catherine was predeceased by her parents, brothers James and William Harrington and her sons, Robert (Bobby) S. Banks, Jr. on June 11, 1981 and Eugene (Gene) D. Banks on July 7, 2016. She married Robert S. Banks, Sr. on August 24, 1935, divorcing in October 1969 but remained friends until his death on October 17, 1988. Her daughter-in-law, Mrs. (Cora) James A. Banks, Sr. also passed on March 14, 2014. Catherine and her husband, Bob, owned and operated General Modernizing Company in the late 1940's into the early 1950's; owned and operated Kay's Superette in Portland's West End in the early 1950's and sold in 1958 ultimately becoming Pizza Villa. Later, Kay worked in Porteous, Mitchell & Braun Company into the mid 1960's. She was active in the Sacred Heart School PTA, Band club and Scouts where her 4 children attended school. She enjoyed her times with her friends at Scarborough Downs and their weekly Sunday card games at the Banks', Luttrell's, Flaherty's, Nelson's or the Crowley's. In later years, Mrs. Banks spent several weeks a year visiting her daughter, Cathy in Springfield, VA where she worked for many years. When her daughter returned to Maine in 1987, they enjoyed many getaway weekends at Foxwoods Resort and Atlantic City; annual vacations to Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and Virginia to visit friends and vacations in the Bahamas, Florida, Williamsburg, VA and Las Vegas. Mrs. Banks had a full life and enjoyed her family; especially at the holidays where her entire family would gather for Christmas Eve festivities at her eldest son Jim and Cora's home with their growing families of children and grandchildren. The Christmas Eve chowder was a special family tradition that had been passed down from Catherine's parents to her and then to her son Jim and his children and grandchildren to be carried on for many years to come. Mrs. Banks is survived by her daughter and caregiver, Cathy and eldest son, James A. Banks, Sr. She also leaves 7 grandsons -- James Jr.; Gregory and husband David, Douglas Sr. and wife Sharon, Jeffrey, Shawn, Chris & wife, Ally and Robert Banks III and wife, Pam; 7 great grandchildren -- Ashley and husband Nick Letourneau, Danielle and husband Fred Spaulding, James III, Robert, Hunter, Douglas Jr., and Dejivon; and 5 great, great grandchildren -- Taylor, Landon, Wyatt, Cooper and Matthew with 3 more great, great grandchildren expected in early 2017. The family would like to extend its appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the staff and nurses at the Barron Center Nursing Facility; especially Mary Ann Curry, Cindy Chase, Pam Jacobsen and Judy McDonald. A very special thank you to wonderful aides Valerie, Lisa, Robyn, Rita, Melinda, Shawn, Jen, Kristen, Sarah and many others for their kind and loving care to our Mom. Prior to Mrs. Banks admittance to the Barron Center in June 2014, daughter Cathy was lovingly assisted in her mom's care by Judy Raven of Advantage Home Care for 2 ½ years. Funeral services are arranged by A. T. Hutchins, 660 Brighton Avenue, Portland, ME. Visiting hours will be from 4pm to 7pm on Tuesday, November 1, 2016. The Funeral Mass will be held at 11am at St. Pius Church, Ocean Avenue, Portland, ME on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 presided by Father John (Jack) d'Anjou, S.J. followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland, ME.

Catherine (Kay) Irene (Harrington) Banks

January 29, 1917 - October 24, 2016

Explore Obituaries &
Upcoming Services