Aprill 5, 1923 — Jan. 20, 2015

Virginia E. “Gini” (Neff) Banta, of Westminster, Maryland, peacefully joined her Savior on Jan. 20, 2015.

Born in Dowagiac, Michigan, on April 5, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Leonard “Boots” and Mabel (Brannock) Neff. A fiercely staunch fan of her beloved Michigan, she was a treasured mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, cousin and friend to many.  Gini led her life filled with love which inspired all immediate and extended family, friends, and all with whom she came in contact. Her love of family served as an example for all to follow.  A Mom to so many, words used lovingly to describe her included cornerstone, beacon, grand lady and confidante. She served as the family historian, our family rock and matriarch. A voracious, lifelong reader, she used her passion for literature to transform and enhance libraries where she worked and volunteered. Her joy in discovering a new favorite author or book could be seen through her happiness in sharing it with others. Gini’s infectious and spontaneous adventuresome spirit was evidenced by the many, many loving memories her beloved sons, daughter-in-laws and grandchildren have with their “Mimi”.

Her work took her from serving as an administrative assistance to helping watch over the school libraries for Prince William County, Virginia. Upon retirement, she lent her skills as a loyal Saunders Volunteer Fire Department Fire Bell as well as a volunteer for the Moneta Branch of the Bedford County Library System. Moving to be closer to family members, Gini then turned her attention to the library at Carroll Lutheran Village to help ensure that her friends there had access to the latest and greatest in books, videos and media to help expand their literary opportunities. She thoroughly believed and shared the example that reading opened the doors to expanding one’s knowledge and seeing the world through the prism of the written word.

Survivors include her devoted and loving husband of 60 years, Dave; her four sons: Tim (Susan) of Charlotte, NC, Mark D. (Tammy) of Ellicott City, Maryland, Michael (Kimberly) of Phoenix, Arizona, and David L. (Karen) of Timonium, Maryland; eight grandchildren:  Emily (Charles Drew) Stanley of Westminster, Colorado, Sean of Malakhovka, Russia, Matt and Ryan of Ellicott City, Kerry and Rachel of Phoenix, Arizona, and, Elizabeth and James of Timonium, Maryland. Gini also had several cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends who celebrated life accomplishments and overcoming challenges with her. She was preceded in death by: her parents; two sisters, June and Mildred; a brother, Howard; and their spouses.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, at Carroll Lutheran Village with Reverend Jimmie Swartz presiding. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the service following at noon. A donation fund has been established through Carroll Lutheran Village in Gini’s honor to support the work of the Library at the Village continuing her desire to provide for her friends there. Donations may be made to the Gini Banta Fund, Carroll Lutheran Village, 300 St. Luke Circle, Westminster, MD, 21158. Fletcher Funeral & Cremation Services, P.A., Westminster, Maryland, is handling the arrangements for the family.