Gwenivere May Banker

Gwenivere (Gwen) May Banker passed away peacefully on October 30, 2015 in Carmel, Indiana with her loving husband and daughter by her side after a lengthy illness.

Gwen is survived by her husband, Dr. Gilbert S. Banker of Carmel, IN; her son Steve and his wife Nancy of Needham, MA; her daughter Susan and her husband Mike Flener of Carmel, IN; her son Dave and his wife Ann of Chesterfield, MO; and her son Bill and his wife Lisa of West Lafayette, IN. Gwen is also survived 11 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren as well as three of her siblings, Eunice, James and Larry.

Gwen was born on June 5, 1934 in Walkerton, Indiana and was the daughter of the late Walter Hughes & Florence Schroder Hughes. Gwen was the fourth youngest of thirteen children. Gwen's mother died at an early age resulting in Gwen being raised by her oldest sister Eunice (Petie) and her husband, Arthur Clark who lived in New Carlisle, Indiana.

While attending New Carlisle High School, Gwen worked at Watson's Drug Store. The Watsons, owners of the pharmacy, learning of Gwen's family situation offered to pay for her college education. She was greatly appreciative of this opportunity and chose to attend Purdue University and studied pharmacy. Gwen was the first of her thirteen siblings to attend and graduate from college.

It was during her time at Purdue that she met her future husband, Gilbert S. Banker, a graduate student in pharmacy at the time. Gwen received her B.S. of Pharmacy in 1956. Gil and Gwen were married on March 31st that year and were married for fifty-nine years.

Upon completion of both of their degrees, Gwen and Gil remained in West Lafayette where Gwen raised four children and worked as a pharmacist at several independent community pharmacies and Gil was employed at Purdue University in the pharmacy school. It was her sincere caring and empathy for her customers that made her an ideal and beloved pharmacist in the Lafayette area.

In 1985, Gwen and Gil moved to Minneapolis, MN for employment at the University of Minnesota followed by another move in 1992 to Iowa City for employment at the University of Iowa where Gil was Dean of both pharmacy schools. Gwen supported her husbands employment opportunities by being actively involved in alumni and college organizations, both on campus and at national meetings and conventions. Her knowledge of pharmacy and her friendly, outgoing personality made her loved by students, faculty, alumni and friends at each of the three Big Ten universities.

In retirement, Gwen and Gil lived in Naples, FL during the winter months and Indiana for the summers. In Naples, you could find her walking Barefoot Beach collecting sea shells, riding her bicycle around her neighborhood or playing cards with her family with country music almost always playing in the background. Gwen was a fiercely competitive card player and enjoyed playing bridge, euchre, rummy or hearts. She was also very accomplished at completing advanced jigsaw puzzles and had many of her most scenic puzzles framed for display.

Her fierce competitive spirit carried over to her love of sports. She loved her Purdue Boilermakers as well as Indianapolis professional sports. Gwen was a very vocal and loyal fan. She and Gil attended every Purdue football bowl game while she lived in West Lafayette. This competitive spirit and desire to win never deterred her from continuing to cheer for her beloved Chicago Cubs.
There was nothing that Gwen loved more in life than her family. She will be deeply missed by all those who loved her in return.

Those wishing to make a donation in Gwens name can make a donation to either: the Gil and Gwen Banker Purdue University Pharmacy Scholarship or to St. Peters United Church of Christ in Carmel, Indiana at 3106 E. Carmel Drive, 46033.

The Bankers will have a celebration of her life at St. Peters United Church of Christ in Carmel, IN on November 4th at four p.m. Arrangements and cremation were entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan Carmel.