Wanda M. (Kempski) Bannish

Wanda was born in Westfield on July 22, 1924 and died on July 10, 2025, just 12 days short of her 101st birthday. She was predeceased by her husband Walter F. Bannish and by her son Walter A. Bannish. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Cliff Bannish-Chisholm, her sister Clara Placzek, her sister-in-law Joan Bannish and numerous nieces and nephews. Wanda worked as a machinist at Foster Machine during WWII, making firing pins for torpedoes. She became a hairdresser during the early 60’s and ran her own beauty salon for many years. After the death of her husband, she fulfilled a lifelong dream and enrolled in nursing school. One of the proudest moments of her life was when she graduated nursing school as an LPN. She worked at Western Mass Hospital until she retired. After retirement Wanda travelled a bit, going to Hawaii a couple of times and taking bus trips here and there. Wanda was proficient at knitting and crocheting and many of us have sweaters, mittens, hats and scarves that she made for us. My heartfelt thanks go out to the many people who helped to make Wanda comfortable in her final decade-Highland Valley Elder Care, Commonwealth Registry of Nurses, Meals on Wheels, Westfield Senior Center and the wonderful staff at Western Mass Hospital. You all treated her with love and compassion, even when she was being a “Grumpy Grandma” Wanda loved cats and had one or two in the house until she became unable to care for them. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Feline Friends Inc., P.O. Box 174, Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Wanda often said “When I die, just wrap me up in a sheet and put me out with the trash” Well. Can’t do that, so there will be no wake, but her Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 10AM in Holy Trinity Church, 335 Elm St. Westfield followed by burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Southampton Rd. Westfield. Arrangements are under the direction of the Firtion Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St. Westfield, MA 01085. www.firtionadams.com

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