Obituary of Donald Bany

Donald Bany was born on March 9, 1926 in Schenectady, NY to Herman and Ida Dorothy Bany. The family moved to Lansdowne, PA., where he spent his elementary and high school years. According to what his mother wrote in his baby book, he was named "Herman after his father and Donald was his mother's choice so his full name was Herman Donald Bany." She continued, "He was most often called Donald though because his father's name was Herman and it is sometimes quite confusing." Don graduated from Landsdowne High School on June 9, 1943. Ever since he could remember, his dream was always to come to The Pennsylvania State College. Having a great love for his country, Don enlisted in the United States Navy and served as Pharmacist Mate Third Class with a love for medicine. He realized his dream of being accepted to Penn State and in 1945 moved to State College, PA., and enrolled in pre-med. Realizing he did not like the sight of blood, he quickly changed his major to finance. During his college years he was a brother at Alpha Chi Sigma and met the love of his life Doris Marie Brenner. Dori was the Valedictorian of Lincoln High School in Ellwood City, PA., graduating in 1945 and was driven to go to The Pennsylvania State College. She was accepted and enrolled in a quadruple major of Chemistry, Mathematics, Social Studies and Education. Don and Dori were introduced on a blind date by one of Don's fraternity brothers, Thumper, who thought they would make an "ideal" couple. They began dating in 1947 and soon were inseparable.... walking hand in hand on the campus, attending classes, and eating at The Corner Room. Dori graduated from Penn State in three years, 1948, summa cum laude, and received her first teaching job at her old alma mater, Lincoln High in Ellwood City, PA. She spent the year teaching, leading the drama department, and planning their wedding. Don graduated from Penn State, January 1949, and they were married on June 4, 1949. Don loved three things, his "ideal" wife Dori, his country, and The Pennsylvania State University. Don's first job took them to Dun and Bradstreet in Philadelphia, PA., and Dori began teaching in the Landsdowne school district. Both of them pined for Penn State and the blue and white rhythm of Happy Valley. In 1951, Don was offered the position as The Financial Officer of The Pennsylvania State University Graduate School in Kern Building and Dori was offered the position teaching 6th Grade at The Fairmount Avenue Elementary School. They purchased the "ideal' property at 718 Kennard Road and designed and built their one and only home, proud to pay for it in cash! Their routine until they both retired together was that Don would warm the car each morning, take Dori to Fairmount Avenue, continue to the University, stop at the downtown post office box 114 to pick up the mail, get the Centre Daily Times, pick Dori up from school, and go to The Corner Room for dinner. They just loved being together volunteering at The Schlow Memorial Library, serving as Sunday School treasurers at The State College Presbyterian Church, searching for and collecting antiques, reading, watching Penn State Football, Fox News and playing bridge. While their heartbreak was that they were never able to have children, Dori lavished her love on every child she taught in her 30 years. Dori was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2002. Don devoted his retirement to being her sole caregiver until it was clear that she needed skilled nursing at Juniper Village in 2011. Don faithfully went each day at 11:00am to sit and be with her until he tucked her into bed, kissed her good night, and returned to their home. He boasted that he only missed two days due to snowy roads! Dori passed away on July 30, 2012. Don did not want an obituary for her, as he felt he was unable to bear seeing her apart from him. Don requested a joint obituary after he could join her upon his death on the same floor of Juniper Village on January 4, 2017. As they had done for all 63 years of their married life, Don always referred to Dori as the "ideal" wife and that he was blessed to have known her for so many years. Don and Dori often shared that the secret of their long marriage was that they never fought, they always waited until they were in agreement before making decisions.... a tall order for two stubborn people they said!!! In a letter that Dori wrote to Don on his 23rd birthday, March 9, 1949 about their upcoming marriage, she wrote, " Honey, I'm looking forward to being married but there are two things I want you to promise me: 1. That you'll help me around the house, room, or whatever when I am working. 2. That you will go to church with me whenever I ask you to. Too much to ask? Now what do you want me to promise? All my love, your Doris." Dori's only sibling, younger sister Janice Brenner Snyder followed in her sister's footsteps and attended The Pennsylvania State University where she met the love of her life, Roger Frederic Snyder. Another blue and white marriage! Rog and Jan live in State College, PA., retired from The Pennsylvania State University and school district. Don and Dori's niece, Mary Lee Snyder Horn Meter followed in her uncle, aunts and parent's footsteps and graduated from The Pennsylvania State University. She married the love of her life, Dr. Jeffrey Jon Meter and they reside in Westbrook, CT. Don and Dori's nephew, Christopher Roger Snyder, followed the blue and white path and also graduated from The Pennsylvania State University and now resides in the house built by Don and Dori which first brought our family to Happy Valley. Don and Dori had 1O great nieces and nephews, Christian (a PSU alum) and Lisa Horn of Philadelphia, PA., Jacob and Chelsey Horn Allen of Fort Polk, LA., Kyle Horn of Middletown, CT., Chloe, Claire and Caroline Horn, Colton and Kyle Snyder all of State College, PA., who all have inherited the love of Penn State. Don was so proud to her of Colton's recent acceptance to The Pennsylvania State University and upon hearing the news, grinned and said he made an "ideal" choice and that the news had made his day!! They had 4 great-great nieces and nephews, Kyle's daughter Kaiya Horn, Chelsey's children Sophia and William, and Christian's baby boy due February 2017. Don and Dori loved each other, their family, and were generous with all they knew. They taught us to never part without saying "I love you" and hold each other tight. As Don did in life he spent his last moments of his life talking about seeing his beautiful wife soon, the Penn State Rose Bowl, the new President-elect Donald Trump, and his niece Mary Lee. Funeral services are under the direction of Koch Funeral Home at the convenience of the family. Don will join his beloved wife at The Graysville Cemetery as well as his in-laws Martin and Mary Brenner. We wish to thank the second floor skilled nursing and physical therapy department at Juniper Village and Home Nursing Hospice nurse, Jerry, who lovingly provided care to both Don and Dori until they each took their first breaths in their heavenly home. In lieu of flowers, Don requested that you each cherish your wife or make a donation to the non-profit ministry Villa Arkaios (www.arkaios.org) that his nephew and niece, Dr. Jeffrey and Mary Lee Meter founded in the spirit of giving generously to others as Don and Dori taught them with their lives well lived