Bree was born on August 10, 1999 to parents Edward and Susannah Banya. Besides her parents, she is survived by her brother James and sister-in-law Sikina (Vienna, VA), her maternal grandparents Claudia and Terry Steichen (Fairfax, VA), paternal grandmother Gina Bassie (Chicago, IL), aunt Emma Bassey (Gainsville, VA), aunt Emma Banya (Woodbridge, VA), uncles Drew Steichen (Bismarck, ND) and Ben Steichen (San Diego, CA), and aunt, Jennifer Steichen (Monsey, NY); paternal aunts,
Alice Ngobeh (Houston, TX), Cecelia Kefue Banya (London, England), Tina Banya (Fredericksburg, VA);
along with numerous cousins and friends.
Raised her whole life in Fairfax, Virginia, she graduated as a top student from Fairfax High School and attended Virginia Commonwealth University.
Bree was a marvelously talented and beautiful young woman. Throughout her schooling years, she was an outstanding student, with a huge talent for music (especially singing) and art (of all kinds). Indeed, she made the Dean's List during her first year at Virginia Commonwealth University, majoring in art.
She had often mentioned her passion to learn more about her father's culture and to teach women in her father's home country, Sierra Leone, Africa.
While her short life was full of promise, she was dogged by health challenges, especially during the past several years.
Notwithstanding those challenges, she really brightened up when she interacted, as she frequently did, with her 2 year old nephew, Jaxon James Banya. And she thoroughly enjoyed periodic gatherings around televised sports games with her mother, brother James, sister-in-law Sikina, and, of course, Jaxon.
Bree is deeply missed by all of her family and friends. When you think of Bree, celebrate the good memories you have of her. Remember that life is fragile and short and should be lived to the fullest.
In lieu flowers, please consider donations to "Lambda Literary" or "She Should Run."
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