Judith Louise Banashek

Renowned tatting author and beloved teacher, Judith (Judi) Louise Banashek, 74, of Waxahachie, Texas, passed away on May 22, 2015. She is survived by two daughters—Ruku Fry and husband Jeff of Waxahachie, Texas; Rachel Nguyen and husband Hoby of Irving, Texas; two grandchildren—Jensen and Sheridan Nguyen of Irving, Texas; and one sister—Jana DiMaggio of North Hollywood, California.

Judi was born in Beaver City, Nebraska on January 13, 1941 to newspaper publishers, Kenneth Wayne Eaton and Edith Barbara Merwin-Eaton.

As a child, she moved with her parents’ newspaper business to Denver, Colorado where she attended elementary and junior high school. Her family ultimately settled in Burbank, California. There, Judi attended John Burroughs High School where she excelled in her studies as well as in extra-curricular activities.

Judi married Robert Banashek and moved to Pahala, Hawaii where she gave birth to her two daughters—Ruku and Rachel. Judi and her daughters moved back to California where she lived for a few years before her employer, Organon Teknika, relocated her to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where she finally settled. Shortly after moving to Oklahoma City, Judi went to work for the Department of Tourism and Recreation where she had a 22-year career.

Judi became a Certified Tatting Instructor, referring to herself at “The Tatter’s Helper.” After traveling to Tacoma, Washington to teach a tatting class (making hand-sewn lace) she realized that there were other tatters that were having the same frustration that she was and she decided to write a book to make it easier to learn the art-form. In the process she created tools and authored four instructional books that many consider among the best available and modernized the art of tatting. She founded the Oklahoma Shuttlebugs, co-founded the T.A.T. Program, and helped establish Camp WannaTat.

After retiring, Judi enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family. She moved to Texas to be closer to her family and considered Waxahachie, Texas her home.

A memorial service will be held in Fort Worth, Texas on Saturday, June 13, 2015. Flowers or other memorials can be sent to the Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Home in Fort Worth and will be delivered to the memorial service.