Ruth "Nancy" Banach (née Helwig), 91, of Huntley, IL, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on December 22, 2024. She was affectionately known as "Neema" by many who loved her.
Nancy was born February 15, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, to Rudolph and Anna Helwig. She graduated from Alvernia High School in Chicago in 1951. In 1956 Nancy and her husband, Steve, moved to Elk Grove Village, Illinois, where she raised 7 children. Nancy loved quilting for her family and she belonged to the Sew N Sew group at Dell Webb making quilts for a variety of charities. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, gardening, bird watching, and loved making puzzles. She loved her home on the lake in Wisconsin and enjoyed fishing with her friends and children. She loved flowers, especially her orchids. She looked forward to searching for treasures as she strolled on the coastal beaches. Nancy was a devoted daughter, a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend who will be missed by all who knew her. She was greatly loved, and her passing creates an enormous hole in all our hearts.
Nancy is survived by her children Patricia Benz, Gail (Neil) Kerber, Steven Banach, Mary Banach, Mike Banach and John (Yan) Banach; grandchildren Kristofer, Jennifer, Nicole, John, Michael, Samantha, Mike, Jason and Danielle; and great grandchildren Grace, Elena, Charlee, Brycen, Nino, William, Colin, Derek, Michael, Landon, Christian, Alexis and daughter Aria, Jackson, Genesis, Dakota, Luke and Caroline. She is also survived by her sister-cousin Audrey Springer, and by many nieces and nephews. Nancy was preceded in death by her daughter Kathleen (Paul) Manzella and grandson Dennis.
Visitation will be on Saturday,January 4,2025, from Noon until 1:00pm at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Rd, Huntley, IL, with mass immediately following. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed starting at 1pm https://www.facebook.com/defiorefuneral
For further information please contact DeFiore Funeral Home at 847-515-8772. Online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com.
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Mrs. Banach, Nancy, was my mother's dear friend for decades. She, my mom, Peggy, and their mutual friend, Claudia, were like the three musketeers. They worked together for a time, and after, the friendship continued on. I can still see them all laughing together in the kitchen of our Elk Grove home. We lost Claudia a few years ago, but she and Nancy remained steadfast friends and supporters of Mom always. Most recently, as I visited Mom and was reading some cards she had displayed in her home, I found a few cards from Nancy. It warmed my heart, that despite Mom's mild dementia Nancy continued to call her and send her cards. That's a friend. I called Nancy to keep her current about Mom, but also, because she was so sweet, and I liked keeping up with her too. Nancy was always laughing; I'll never forget her constant smile and optimistic outlook on life. She left a huge, loving family who I know will miss her tremendously. Gail and I were high school friends, and as Kathleen was just a year older than me, I remember her fondly from high school too. These women, like their mom, were kind, friendly, and considerate people. Nancy, you did well. You did a wonderful job raising a loving family. There's no more important job any of us can do. Rest in Peace Dear Nancy.
I am very sorry for your loss. Nancy was a spark of light whenever she came into the room. Bless her and all of her family.
Nancy was such a joy to get to know.....as one of the Lake Wisconsin "new" residents I always appreciated her advice and friendship. I was privileged to know her for the past 23+ years and kept in touch with her when she moved....she will be dearly missed. My condolences to her family.
I am thinking of the Banach family and friends during this difficult time. Aunt Nancy was a special lady who made everyone around her smile and feel loved. She will be missed.
I never realized how photogenic my Mom was until we were gathering pictures for her funeral. Seeing how much fun she’s had with so many people over the years really touched my heart. Our Mom had a great personality, she was full of life & always on the go, she was kind, she was fun, she was generous, she was very loving and she was loved by all who met her. Mom was crafty and creative. For over 15 years we shared the love of doing a quilt challenge, every January we selected a pattern, we discussed details and then revealed our quilts to each other in December. We always loved each other’s quilt best. This past year we just focused on making baby quilts for her Sew N Sew group to be donated to the hospital. Mom had a love for animals and birds. She loved our family pets and our pets loved her right back. She enjoyed watching Dr Pol & felt the need to discuss with me what animals were having problems and in detail the surgeries they needed. Every Tuesday night she looked forward to what treasures they would find on The Curse of Oak Island & she loved watching really old game shows-over & over & over again. In the winter of 2022-2023 she came to NC to stay with Neil & I. As we did in the past we spent the winter sewing all kinds of projects she could give as gifts. She couldn’t wait to see & hang out with my Knitting Peeps. We had a great time site seeing, buying fabrics at the quilt shops, going to quilt shows & shopping for pottery. She was so excited to visit the coast to see her grandson Michael, his fiancé Johnlyn and her great grandson Landon. She loved to walk the beach with us collecting shells & whatever other treasures she could find. In Spring of 2023 I got her hooked on golf. She chose a golfer to follow and quickly became an avid golf fan rooting for & admiring her favorite golfer, Scottie Scheffler, he hasn’t disappoint her. I’ll smile & think of her when I see a wooden spoon & an ugly face pottery piece. I’ll talk to her always, especially when my heart is breaking. I know she’ll be there helping me figure out my fabric choices & my quilting designs. She is our Mom, our Mommy, our Mutti, our Neema, our Favorite Mother-in-Law, our Big Sister Ruthie and most of all our Best Friend. And lastly I would just like to say to my Mom… Mutti, as a devoted Catholic walking through those pearly gates… on behalf of myself & my siblings, we truly know & understand how very, very deserving you are of your place in heaven. You’re forever in our hearts. Love you mom 🩷