Norma C. Bankenstein

Norma C. Bankenstein, 92, of York, died Sunday December 22, 2019 at Manor Care Kingston Court. She was the wife of the late William W. Bankenstein Jr. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 18, 2020, at St Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1502 4th Ave, York, PA, with the Rev. Grant Ambrose officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Rose Cemetery. Mrs. Bankenstein was born on August 13, 1927 in Hardwick, Vermont, and always considered herself to be a Vermonter. She was a daughter of the late Merton F. and Nathalie (Stewart) Carr. She graduated from Springfield Technical High School in Springfield, MA, and went on to get her associates degree at Rider College where she met and married her husband. When her husband died young, she went to Franklin & Marshall College, with the first class of women at that school, to finish her college education. She then obtained her Master of Social Work at University of Maryland Baltimore Campus. Norma became the first social worker at York Hospital's Family Practice Center from which she later retired. She was a long time and active member of St Andrew's Episcopal Church, where she sang in the choir, served on the vestry of the church more than once and played in the bell choir. Singing was important to her, and she was selected to sing with the York Symphony Chorus. She even travelled with a multi-church choir from Central Pennsylvania to sing for the Pope. Throughout her adult life, she volunteered. In various places where she lived, including York, she volunteered with the Red Cross and the League of Women Voters. In York, she also answered the crisis hot line for Contact York and recruited others to do so; was a volunteer election poll worker; and helped at Our Daily Bread. Norma leaves, two daughters Joanna Reinhard and her husband Thomas of Boiling Springs, Lynn Chickey and her husband John of Lake Alfred FL; a son Bruce Bankenstein and his wife Patricia of Seven Valleys; two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to St Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1502 4th Ave, York, PA 17403 or to the South-Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross, (mark for York Chapter) 1804 N. 6th Street, Harrisburg, PA. 17102. The Geiple Funeral Home, Inc. 53 Main Street, Glen Rock is assisting with the arrangements and condolences may be shared at geiple.com