Beth Bannister Obituary

"Elizabeth "Beth" Bannister Beth Bannister, 75, of Traverse City, died on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at Medilodge of Grand Traverse County after a courageous battle with ALS. Beth was born on September 30, 1947, in Detroit, to Richard and Elizabeth Bannister, and spent the entirety of her childhood and teen years in the suburban Detroit area, with the exception of five years in Corapolis, PA. She was an excellent student in every subject and was a member of the National Honor Society. She graduated from Western Michigan University, where she was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority, with a B. A. in 1969, and furthered her education with classes at Wayne State University and Wayne County Community College. Beth worked as a substitute teacher in the suburban Detroit area and in a managerial position for the Head Start program in Detroit. After relocating to Traverse City in the early 80's, she was employed by the Red Cross and the U. S. Census Bureau. She also worked in various capacities as a care provider to both children and the elderly. Beth's real talent shone in her beautiful calligraphy, which was almost entirely self-taught, and was her main profession. She was highly skilled in drawing, as well, and was also very musical, playing the piano with great sensitivity. She enjoyed expressing herself through improvisational dance, was a lover of nature and the graphic arts, and had a profound appreciation for beauty wherever it was to be found. Beth was a deeply religious Christian. Her faith was truly the center of her life and she was active in several churches in the Grand Traverse area. She gave generously to various Christian charities and organizations. She is survived by her younger sisters Sally (Michael) Piotrowski of Vienna, Virginia and Susan (Ichiro) Yamaura of Tochigi, Japan; nephews David and Daniel Piotrowski and Shigeru Yamaura; one grandniece and two grandnephews. Also surviving are cousins Rod and Guy Bannister, David and Jack Sanders, Janie Sanders Bean, their families, and other distant relatives. A celebration of Beth's life will be held on Friday, September 15th at 2:00p. m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. "