Obituary of Carole Ann Banks

Carole Ann Banks, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease on Monday morning, October 8, 2018. She was 80 years old.  Carole was one of eight children born to the late Joseph and Edith Silva.  She grew up in East Boston and was a 1955 graduate of East Boston High School.  Carole married her high school sweetheart, John Banks, Jr., in 1957.  They started their life together in an apartment in East Boston.  As their family continued to grow, they purchased a home in Burlington in 1967.  Carole worked at Higashi School in Lexington for a number of years.  She found her role meaningful because of the school’s task was to help children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.   When the school moved to Randolph she went to work for Goodway Graphics in Burlington for 20 years where she was a Book Binder.  Carole worked full-time as well as managing her home and five very active children. 

Carole was the type of person that radiated happiness.  She had a kind heart and a warm and welcoming spirit. Her smile showed affection and appreciation.  She loved her family unconditionally and had an endless circle of friends.  Carole was always there to lend a helping hand, offer some thoughts of wisdom and support all those she loved in whatever they pursued.

 Summers were spent with family and friends at their cottage on Lake Ossipee for over 30 years.  They enjoyed sitting on the beach, swimming, boating, campfires, passionate cribbage games, and most important sharing each other’s company and keeping their family bond strong.  Carole always looked forward to trips to Ogunquit Maine and Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut.  She loved the simple things like walks around Horn Pond in Woburn and getting the newspaper every afternoon at Sammy’s where she would meet her friends and neighbors.  The past 7 years, struggling with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, have been difficult on Carole as well as her family.  Her family all rallied to care for her and walk alongside her during her slow mental and physical challenging decline.  It was how she brought her family up and it was their honor to care for her when she needed them the most.  

Carole was the beloved wife of John R. Banks, Jr.  She was the loving mother of Deborah of Nashua, NH, John J. of Burlington, David & his wife Denise of Fishers, IN, Kenneth & his wife Marybeth of Derry, NH and Brian & his wife Brenda of Burlington.  Proud grandmother of Christopher, Shawn & Scott Hutchinson, Alexandra & Richard Priest and Brendon, Sean, Cameron, Michael & Jason Banks.  Great grandmother of Logan, Chase, Autumn, Harper, Owen & Delaney.  Sister of Elizabeth Aia of Stormville, NY, Claire Sousa of Billerica, John Silva of The Villages, FL, Malcolm Silva of Saugus, George Silva of Portsmouth, NH and the late Lorraine Barry & Joan Bishop.  Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St. BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Friday, Oct. 12 from 4-8 p.m.  Funeral Services will be at the Funeral Home on Saturday, October 13 at 11 a.m.  Burial to follow in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.  In lieu of flowers memorials in Carole’s name may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org.