Obituary of Rebecca Marie Banko

CANISTEO: Rebecca Marie “Becky” Banko, 62, died Monday morning, February 12, 2024, in Highland Hospital, Rochester, NY after an extended illness. Becky was born October 2, 1961, in Lackawanna, NY, to Barbara and the late Stanley Banko. She had resided in Canisteo, with mother, Barbara, and brother, Paul. Becky always loved spending time with her friends and family, and she particularly enjoyed holiday and vacation gatherings filled with love, laughter, cards and board games. In 1968, Becky moved with her family to Dexter, NY, where she attended Dexter Elementary School and, later, General Brown Junior-Senior High School in Brownville, NY. In 1977, the family moved to Canisteo, NY, where Becky graduated from Canisteo High School as valedictorian in 1979. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1983. In the fall of 1983, she moved to California, where she resided for almost 38 years. During that time, she was surrounded by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. Becky also made many beloved friends. She returned to Canisteo in September 2021 and took part in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Hornell. She is survived by her mom, Barb; brothers, Alan (Becky) Banko of Irwin, Pa., Peter (Shana) Banko of Georgetown, SC and Paul Banko of Canisteo. Aunts Linda (Rick) Trippi and Sandy Zrodlowski; nieces Megan Beavers and Keeva Banko, nephews Adam, Zachary, Declan and Cormac Banko; great nieces and nephews Everett, Frank and Dylan Beavers and Bennett and Henry Banko; as well as many cousins and friends on both coasts. The family will receive friends from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, February 22 at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St. in Canisteo A memorial mass will take place on Friday at 10:00 am at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Hornell. Memorial contributions in Becky’s name may be made to either Our Lady of the Valley Parish, the Perpetual Adoration Chapel of Our Lady of the Valley, 27 Erie Ave. Hornell, NY 14843 or to the Donor's Choice. Arrangements are with the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Canisteo.