Hamilton, Marilyn Joy (Banks)
Marilyn Joy Banks Hamilton, 95, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, widow of Joseph C. Hamilton, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2023, at home with her family and caregivers at her bedside.
Born Oct. 7, 1927, she was the older daughter of Goodman and Cecelia Yessner Banks, who raised her with a strong sense of family and from whom she learned a fierce determination and resilience.
Marilyn was born in St. Paul, MN, where she lived until her father moved the family to Hartford, CT, to establish the family photography business, Loring Studios. Her sister, Sherry Banks, was born when Marilyn was nine, and from the moment Sherry was put into Marilyn's doll carriage, the devoted sisters shared a lifelong, unshakeable bond. Marilyn attended Conard High and at UCONN was a member of Phi Sigma Sigma.
Marilyn's best memories of the first half of her life spent in West Hartford were raising her family near her parents and her sister's family – all the milestones, holidays, family dinners and day-to-day life shared. There, she was also part of a circle of great friends. Throughout Marilyn's life, she was committed to charitable giving and generously supported many causes. Perhaps her fondest is the tribute that she and her sister established in memory of their parents, the Banks Garden at the Emanual Synagogue. It has been the setting for Jewish milestones, both joyful and solemn.
Marilyn enjoyed most the second half of her life in Chicago and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, with her beloved husband Joseph Hamilton. They were blessed with good health, wonderful friends, a blended family of six children and many grandchildren who visited often and made lasting memories. Joe and Marilyn found such pleasure in their retirement years. Marilyn played golf – 18 holes, three times a week until she was 85, including a hole-in-one six months after open-heart surgery – finally giving up the game only because she was losing yards off her drive (straight down the middle). She and Joe traveled the world, often accompanied by Sherry and her dear husband, Bud Cohn. When their children became empty nesters, Joe and Marilyn's house in FL became the setting for very happy and memorable annual grown-up Banks-Hamilton siblings gatherings. Sadly for Marilyn and their whole family, when her beloved Joe became seriously ill with dementia, she lovingly and impeccably devoted well over a decade to his care.
Marilyn's determination, resilience, and courage helped her live a full life into her 90s. She stayed sharp, tech-savvy, engaged in life, and as sophisticated, witty, and glamorous as ever. In her final years, relentlessly independent and despite her own declining health, she was able to enjoy many more special visits on Zoom and in person, which provided her meaningful time with her family, including meeting Suzie's first grandchild, Ethan, even in the face of the challenges of the pandemic.
We are filled with gratitude that Marilyn was able to wait for her family to arrive to be with her when she closed her eyes for the last time. Instead of feeling grief and sadness, we celebrate Marilyn's long, full life, and her gentle passing. When circumstances knocked the wind out of her, she rebounded; and when times were good and happy, she fully embraced them.
Marilyn's family is profoundly grateful for the support, loving care and attention of her team of caregivers: Phyllis, Sharon, Eulalee, and Nathalie; and for the devotion of Carol.
Marilyn leaves her children: David Banks Goldenberg (Cindy) and Susan Banks; and grandchildren Brian Craigie (Elizabeth) and Chelsea Banks Craigie; Garrett Banks Goldenberg and Kirsten Goldenberg; and great grandchild Ethan Craigie.
She also leaves her husband Joseph Hamilton's children whom she adored as much as they adored her: Mark Hamilton (Janis), Susan Nelson (Cliff), Bill Hamilton (Susan), and Bruce Hamilton (Jennifer Weiss) and grandchildren; Jamie Hamilton (Henry), CJ Hamilton (Laura) and Kyle Hamilton (Serena), Scott Ian Hamilton (Jackie) and Michael Hamilton, and Maxwell Hamilton (Desi) and Anna Hamilton (Matt); and five great-grandchildren.
She leaves her sister Sherry Banks-Cohn and her children Wendy Steiner (Steven Schwartz), Brad Steiner (Karin Raye) and their children Emma and Eric Schwartz, and Zackary and Samuel Raye Steiner. Marilyn had such a special spot in her heart for her sister's children and families.
Burial was private. In lieu of flowers, to make a contribution in Marilyn's memory, please consider a charity of your choice.