Obituary of Marta Banks

Marta Banks passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family on December 20, 2016, following a courageous struggle against breast cancer. Born in Cambridge, MA to June and James Hooghkirk on May 14, 1952, she was the fourth of five children. Marta was raised in California, pursued her education in Nevada and Mexico, and, in 1973, moved to Santa Fe, NM. There she met her husband of 40 years, Stephen Banks, who survives her, and, in 1974, Marta and Stephen began a cross country trip, by going ending in Miami, FL. In Florida, Marta begin a career as a librarian at Florida International University. She would go on to work at the State University of New York at Albany, Robert C. Parker School, and Congregation Berith Shalom, among others. Marta and Stephen returned to the northeast in the early 1980s, settled in the Albany area, and raised two beloved children, Aaron and Sadie. There, Marta also began life-long friendships and became a master of Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art practiced for defense and health. She was a co-founder of the Asian Arts Center in Albany, where she practiced and taught. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 22 at 1:30p.m. at Congregation Berith Shalom, 167 Third Street in Troy, NY. Shiva will be observed throughout the week at the Banks Family Home in Wynantskill, NY. Donations in Marta’s memory can be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Congregation Berith Shalom, and Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood.