The Life of SARA BANKSON STENSON
Sara "Sally" Bankson Stenson, 86, peacefully passed away Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, at her home, Summerhill Assisted Living, in Peterborough, N.H. She was born May 2, 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio, daughter of John P. and Marion H. Bankson. She attended Chatham Hall in Chatham, Va., and graduated Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in 1949. She is survived by her brother, John P. Bankson Jr. and his wife, Judy, of Gaithersburg, Md. Sara lived most of her adult life in Pittsburgh. Her first marriage was to the late Roy A. Hunt Jr. She is survived by their daughter, Marion Hunt, of New York, and three sons and their spouses, Terry and Gale Hunt, of Cambridge, Mass., John and Lynda Hunt, of Rindge, N.H., and Andrew and Robin Hunt, of Jensen Beach, Fla. Sara has seven grandchildren, Evan Hunt, Tyler Hunt, Avery Hunt, Edward Hunt, Elizabeth Hunt, India Badiner and Oliver Hunt. Sara married Kiernan Stenson in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1975, and were happily married until his death in 1991. They loved to travel. Sara would want to be best known for her love of children but recently she was best known as the happiest and the most positive person you could ever meet. She brought joy to everyone, but her care for children was her life long mission. She received a Masters degree in Sociology and Social Work MSW and she worked with many Pittsburgh organizations dedicated to children including the Ursulin Center, Family and Children Services, University City Ministries. She also started a daycare center in the East Liberty Presbyterian Church called Extended Family. By using the church's children's rooms during the weekdays, and getting volunteer help from retires, the day care center was able to offer more affordable rates for working families. Behind her desk at her home hung photographs of her with several different governors of Pennsylvania and also President Lyndon Johnson for the bill signing ceremonies for children's legislation with many trips to Harrisburg or Washington DC. She was also involved with several Pittsburgh organizations including Carnegie Museum and the Junior League of Pittsburgh, (president from 1956 to 1958). Her last years were spent in Peterborough, N.H., where her new family at Summerhill enjoyed her singing and walking all the way around Meadows 1. Although she spent her last days in a wheel chair, she still scooted around, but even faster. Not that the staff at Summerhill would ever have favorites, but they would often tell family members that they would seek Sara out when ever they were feeling down, because Sara would always raise their spirits with her glorious smile and her infectious laugh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014, in Sacred Heart Church, 310 Shady Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206, followed by interment at Allegheny Cemetery, 4734 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201. Arrangements are by JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS INC., Memorial donations can be made to any children's organization of the giver's choice