May 3, 2022
In loving memory ~
Marylee (Savory) Banyard died peacefully at home in Nelson, BC, on May 3, 2022, surrounded by family.
Born in 1935 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, she attended school in South Africa, England, and eventually completed her teaching degree at Notre Dame University in Nelson. She married Colin Banyard in 1955 and they had four daughters. They lived in many remote bush stations while he worked for the government administration of Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), and then lived in South Africa for five years.
The family immigrated to BC in 1974 and lived in Creston for two years before finally settling in Nelson. She worked for the Castlegar School District from 1976-88, and Canadian International College from 1988-99, in Nelson, North Vancouver, and Hiroshima. For 14 years after her retirement, she divided her time between her family's farm in Zambia and Nelson. In Zambia, she and her daughter Jocelyn developed sustainable grassroots projects with the local people, work that still continues through Malambo Grassroots.
She belonged to many local groups including Grans to Grans, CCL, West Kootenay Climate Hub, CFUW, Kairos, Kootenay Quilters, and St. Saviour's. Despite two hip replacements, she was an avid swimmer and competed in the Senior's Games for many years.
She is survived by her daughters Adrien (Charles), Josephine (Eldon), Jocelyn (Booth), and Antonia (Clinton); grandchildren Byron, Nolan, Anthea, Cheyenne, Caitlyn, Suzanna, and Brigita; great-grandchildren Malcolm and Lincoln, sister-in-law Thea, nieces Joanne and Jacqueline and nephews Lee and Coulsey. She is predeceased by her parents, ex-husband, and brother Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, Marylee suggested donating to Stop Ecocide (to protect the environment / www.stopecocide.earth), Iron and Earth (to help workers transition from the fossil fuel industry / www.ironandearth.org) and Malambo Grassroots, to help all world citizens to stabilize their countries (in this case, Zambia / www.malambograssroots.ca). Thanks to Dr. Lee MacKay.
Please join us for a memorial at the Rotary shelter at Lakeside Park, Nelson, Monday, May 23, 2:00-3:30 pm.