Ethelyn M. H. Banks

PORTLAND - Ethelyn M.H. Banks, 94, of Portland, died June 20, 2014 at Fallbrook Woods in Portland. Ethelyn was born in Berlin, NH a daughter of Charles Frederick and Ethel Margo Stewart Higgins. She attended Portland schools and was a 1938 graduate of Portland High School. During World War II, Ethelyn worked as a secretary for Supt. Stores at the South Portland Ship Yard. In 1942 she married Harry Banks who a Naval Signalman was assigned to the USS Denbola stationed in Casco Bay. Ethelyn was an artist who worked in many media including painting with oils and pastels, sculpture of clay, plaster, bronze and welded steel. She attended evening and summer school at the Portland School of Art. In 1960 she graduated from Gorham State Teachers College with a BS in Education. Ethelyn taught elementary school in Westbrook for 20 years retiring in 1980. During her retirement she continued to work as a substitute teacher in the Westbrook and Portland schools. At the age of 80 Ethelyn began learning the computer. Her love for learning continued throughout her life. Her hobbies included crafts projects, sewing. Crocheting and gardening. Ethelyn served as Past Matron of the Eastern Star and was a member of the Portland Museum of Art. She was predeceased by her husband Harry in 2003 and a son Hugh in 1981. Survivors include a son Peter Banks of Massachusetts; three grandchildren; a niece Margo McKenzie of Naples; cousin, Patricia Mosher and a close friend William E. Farrell, Jr. Visitation will be held Saturday June 28 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. A service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Maine Veteran's Cemetery in Augusta. The family and friends of Ethelyn are grateful to the staff at Fallbrook Woods for their kind and compassionate care.Online condolences may be expressed below.