Obituary of Kathleen Ann Banta

Kathy A. Banta, 56, entered eternal peace on Monday January 3, 2005 at St. Barnabas M.C. in Livingston, NJ surrounded by her closest friends and family. She succumbed to pulmonary complications caused by breast cancer, which she so courageously and uncompromisingly fought for nearly two decades. Throughout her life and even during her final days, she remained a paragon of strength and fortitude admired and emulated by so many that took comfort in her resolution. She was born in Scranton, Pa., and lived with her parents Eugene and Mary Pascavage in Troop, Pa. before moving to Dover, NJ in 1958. It would be an impossible task and even unjust to try and capture the countless contributions she made to her community, church and family, as well as the numerous lives she touched with such grace and compassion. She was a volunteer at St. Clement Church for countless years involved in numerous organizations and benefits including the Womens Group, Cornerstone Retreat Team and Bingo. She was a social person that always sought to spread her optimism and energetic spirit with anyone she encountered. Perhaps, most of all and most importantly to her, she was a devoted, loving neighbor, wife, and mother that never thought twice about sacrificing herself for the needs of her family and friends. In short, she was a very special angel that will never be forgotten. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 34 years, Kenneth, her children Tara and her husband and adopted son in-law Andrew Stewart of Enid, Ok., her son Gene and her youngest daughter Shauna both of Dover. She is also survived by her Mother Mary Pascavage also of Dover, as well as her cousin who was her Sister at Heart Carol A. Taccetta of Barnegat, NJ. However, to only mention her immediate family would be a great injustice as she was loved and cherished by so many neighbors, doctors, community members, and acquaintances that she considered family as well. A Liturgy of Christian Burial Service will be held on Friday Jan.7, 2005 at 10:00 AM at St. Clement Pope & Martyr Church Mt. Pleasant Ave. Dover, NJ. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave. Denville, NJ www.normandean.com. Donations are being accepted to The Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation 785 Springfield Ave. Summit, NJ 07901.