Elizabeth "Betty" Banister, 95, passed away on February 22, 2026, in the presence of family. She is predeceased by her parents, Nathan and Evelyn; husband, Robert "Bob," sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne and Gordon Willams; sons, Keith and Thomas (Robin), and great-grandson, Cody Van Hout. She is survived by her son, David (Marty, deceased) and daughter, Barbara (Paul) Clement; grandchildren, Holly Clement, Justin Clement, Missy (Bill) Butler, Heather (Jim) Loiacono, Jen (Rick) Zugnoni, Megan Clement, Laura Banister; 14 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

Betty was born in 1930 in Webster, NY to parents Nathan and Evelyn (Hill) Baird and sister Jeanne. Shortly after, they moved to Nunda, NY, where Betty grew up, made many fond memories, and developed life-long friendships. She fondly remembered working at the Genesee Falls Inn, Bernarr Macfadden's Physical Culture Hotel (the "castle"), and Lake Minnewaska Mountain House; recreation at Letchworth State Park; and visits to her father's workplace in the Nunda casket factory. She met her husband, Bob, while in high school, and they married in 1950. They and their children built a home for 65 years in Fairport/Macedon, NY. During the last several years of her life, she lived with her granddaughter Megan, near her daughter Barb, in Ossian, NY.

Betty and Bob were life-long advocates of outdoor education and conservation. During her 30-year teaching career with Palmyra-Macedon Central Schools, she celebrated the first Earth Day by ensuring a pine sapling for every student and staff at Macedon Elementary; her sapling still stands today next to their Fairport/Macedon home. Betty and Bob were also the first and second holders of lifetime hunting and fishing licenses in New York State.

Per Betty's wishes, there will be no service. She and Bob will be laid to rest near their son Keith in one of the family's favorite outdoor recreation spots. Donations in her memory should be made to the NYSDEC with direction to Region 8 outdoor education, or as a memorial tree through Hindle Funeral Home Inc., 271 Main St., Dansville NY 14437.