Sister Marietta Bankos, OSF

october 6, 1928 - september 11, 2022

Sister M. Marietta (Virginia) Bankos, a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, United States Province, died on September 11, 2022, in Holy Family Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. She was 93 and in her 76th year of religious profession.

Sister entered the community in 1942 from Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Northampton, Pa., and professed her first vows in 1946 at Mount Assisi Convent in Pittsburgh, Pa. She earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a major in business education from Duquesne University. She also held a master’s degree in business education from Marywood College.

Sister Marietta taught the elementary grades in various schools in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts and was the organist in several of the parishes where she taught. She also spent 10 years teaching business and math courses at St. Francis Academy in Bethlehem. Sister served in internal ministry as provincial secretary and archivist for the former Bethlehem Province in Bethlehem and on the General Administration level in Rome, Italy. In 2007, Sister became the assistant archivist for the newly-formed United States Province and then assumed the role of archivist from 2013 to 2016. Sister then relocated to Bethlehem, where she spent her remaining years as a faithful participant in prayer ministry.

Sister Marietta was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Mary (Barlok) Bankos, and her brother, Edward. She is survived by her religious community, her sister Ann Fry, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 15, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated there at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Arrangements have been made by Connell Funeral Home, Bethlehem, Pa. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the School Sisters of St. Francis Retirement Fund, 4900 Perry Highway, Suite 201 Pittsburgh, PA 15229.