Joan Frances Banick Brooks, 74, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., died Thursday, March 1, 2018, at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla. following a courageous battle with leukemia.
She was born on December 5, 1943 in Dunmore, Pa., to Stephen Joseph and Frances Klema Banick, who predeceased her in addition to a brother, Richard Michael Banick. Raised and educated in the Dunmore area, Joan graduated from Marywood University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics. Joan was an active member of Holy Family Church in Scranton, Pa. and served as an organist for daily mass.
She married Talcott Kingsley Brooks on June 17, 1967, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Scranton with Monsignor Thomas Banick of St. Mary’s Church of the Immaculate Conception in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., officiating.
Upon graduating from Marywood, Joan went to work for IBM in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and later transferred to the Federal Systems Division of IBM in the Washington, D.C. area. She spent 29 years with IBM and merged over to Lockheed Martin to complete the last 17 years of her career. Additionally, Joan served her alma mater, Marywood University, in various capacities, serving on the Board of Trustees from 2002-2011, most notably as the chairman from 2010-11.
Joan loved to travel and was an accomplished pianist. She enjoyed many hobbies including cooking, gardening, sewing and knitting. She was an avid reader and treasured her monthly meetings with her local book club.
In addition to her husband, Talcott, of over 50 years, Joan is survived by her most cherished possessions, her two daughters and five grandchildren, Kathryn Ann and Paul Eichamer Jr. of Naperville, Ill. and their three children, Kristen Marie, Paul Eichamer III, and Stephenie Brooke, and Colleen Michelle and David Evans of Summerville, S.C. and their two children, Kelly Katherine and Ethan Michael. Also surviving is her beloved brother and sister-in-law, Ronald S. and Frances Pacifico Banick of Dunmore, and her sister-in-law, Cynthia Knox of Rochester, N.Y. and numerous cherished and loved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A funeral mass was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission Church in Yulee, Fla. An additional memorial service will be held in Dunmore at a later date, followed by interment at the Holy Family Cemetery in Throop, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her honor to the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Home