Catherine Lee Rees Banks

(November 10, 1942 - November 9, 2013)

Cathie Rees Banks was born on November 10, 1942 in Steubenville, Ohio, however, she spent most of her life in Marietta, Georgia as a beloved mother, friend, and educator. Cathie said her family “had her back and have been with me through the valleys, as well as the peaks of my life.” She is survived by her daughter, Julie Gilbertson and son-in-law, Larry Gilbertson; her lifelong best friend, Trudy Riggs, as well as Sally, Christopher, and Nathan Clauss, her closest family friends and next door neighbors. These were the very dear and special ones who knew Cathie the best when she was not teaching.

To list those who loved her in her extended “educational” family would take too many pages because Cathie was a beloved Educator of students, teachers, parents, and administrators for over 40 years. She dedicated her life to helping students and those who helped students in education. She would always say, “Keep teachers happy because a happy teacher means a happy classroom which means happy students that are capable of doing amazing things!” She is known as “The Mother of the Magnet Program” at Wheeler High School because it was her vision and dream in the 1990’s before STEM was ever known as an acronym.

While her passion to learn, teach, and educate students burned ever brightly even in her last days, she will always be remembered for her humor and contagious laugh. She loved to make people laugh. She loved a good time, and she wanted EVERYONE to experience it with her. If you have been a recipient of one of her yearly “roasts” then you were very special to Cathie. She spent so much time recreating and capturing that special moment that everyone would remember just so they could laugh again!

Proverbs 17:22 states, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine”, and Cathie made sure she had a good dose of it every day, while making sure those in her presence did, as well. One of Cathie’s favorite verses from the Bible is Psalm 23 and she assured those with her during her last moments that “it was OK.” She passed very peacefully on the evening of November 9, 2013.

Psalm 23:

1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever (King James Version).