Helen Ruth Bannister died Sept. 1, 2006, at Whitman Health and Rehab in Colfax, Wash., from breast cancer at age 87. Memorial services will be Friday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. at Colfax United Methodist Church in Colfax. Helen was born May 9, 1919, in Pasco, Wash., to Guy and Grace Davis. As the daughter of a manager for Pacific Power And Light, Helen moved frequently. She lived in Kennewick, Wash., Lewiston, Idaho, Portland, Ore., then Walla Walla, and Yakima, Wash. In 1939 Helen attended WSC where she joined the Chi Omega Sorority and majored in music and drama. While at WSC she met Stanley Bannister. The couple was married on May 31, 1941, just seven months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The couple settled in Colfax where Stan farmed and worked for the soil conservation service. Helen and Stan joined the Colfax United Methodist Church where Helen put her music skills to work singing in, and directing the choir. She was a gifted soloist and sang at numerous weddings, funerals and special occasions. In her later years she played the organ for church services. Helen was an active contributor to the Colfax community. She was a member of Athenaeum Club, Besse Mechling Club, Altrua, Monday Musicale, Moscow Star Garnett Club, and the Colfax Grange. She treated club members to one-woman shows of "Hello Dolly" and "Mame" where she performed all the songs and gave life to all the characters using different voices and actions. Her musical career supported and inspired many young women to follow their own musical careers. Helen's musical interests included classical, jazz, big band and progressive rock such as Emerson Lake and Palmer. Aside from her club and church activities she also taught voice, was a judge for the grade school declamation contest, and judged the art exhibits at the Palouse Empire Fair. She was a skilled narrator of the fair's fashion show. At age 55, she contracted breast cancer. Living with three recurrences of the disease over the next 32 years, she never lost her positive outlook on life. She sang up until a couple of weeks before the end. Her life stands as a testimony to the power of music. She is survived by a brother, Ray (Mary) Davis of Calif.; son, Lee Bannister; daughter-in-law, Tresa Bannister; and grandson Collin Bannister. Memorials may be made to Whitman Hospital Foundation or Colfax United Methodist Church.
