Geraldine "Jeri" M. (Hurlbut) Bannister

Geraldine M. Bannister, 80, of Davis St. died Sunday (6-20-21) at Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility in Greenfield. She was born February 27, 1941 in Mexico, NY the daughter of Harold and Dorothy (Fox) Hurlbut.
Jeri was a proud graduate of Mexico Academy in Mexico, NY where she would annually return to play in the Alumni band with her siblings. She earned her Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree at Ithaca College in Music Education and Performance. She was a lifelong learner and continued taking Graduate Coursework at Syracuse University and received a CAGS from Fitchburg State University.
Jeri started teaching elementary instrumental music in Sherrill, NY. When she met her husband, they moved to Connecticut and she blessed the Elementary students in Southington, CT with her talents. When the family moved to Turners Falls in 1971, Jeri worked for Stoneleigh Burnham School, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Bement School, Deerfield Academy while delivering private lessons from home. Jeri also became the instrumental music teacher in the Gill Montague and Greenfield School Districts. She is responsible for the Pioneer Valley Elementary Music Festival and the All-Town Bands. There's a running joke around town that if you are 46 and younger, she was your music teacher at one point.
Jeri loved to perform music and would likely accept any playing gig there was. She and her husband were founding members of the Pioneer Valley Brass Quintet, playing concerts in the area for the Dana Vespers. She played clarinet professionally, she also was a trombone player for the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra for over 30 years. She played in Greenfield, Orange, Brattleboro, Keene, and the Flamingo Jazz Band out of Connecticut. She was delighted to play the Tuba Christmas. When she traveled to Ireland, she was also asked to play there.
Jeri was a devoted Christian and offered her Godly service in so many ways to the churches of St James and Andrews in Greenfield, MA. She would bless the congregation at Christmas Eve Service with an alto trombone rendition of “O Holy Night” which would draw tears for its beauty (and a standing ovation). She sang in the choir, was a bell ringer, folded programs, was a reader, a greeter, a host for coffee hour, and an all-around cheerful volunteer.
She loved animals and would care for them without hesitation. She would give her faithful cat Katie (for Cadence) a solon treatment daily. She would also joke about how appropriately she named her skittish cat Haydn (for the composer). We would frequently hear about  her crazy antics growing up on the “farm” in Mexico, NY.
She was a voracious reader. Her love of books offered her another chance to volunteer at the Friends of the Carnegie Public Library in Turners Falls, MA where she would be seen multiple times a week exchanging books.
Her most favorite hobby was traveling. Although she loved to drive (and compare gas mileage), she also loved to travel overseas to Ireland to visit with her husband’s family. She loved sleeping in a hotel room in Maine with the glass doors open (to hear the waves). She used to search for lakes in New England while listening to music. 
Jeri is survived by her husband of 53 years Cedric, her daughters; Colleen Bannister of Greenfield and Tara Bannister of Turners Falls, her Sisters Betty Lou Eddy and Nancy Luger, her brothers Harold Hurlbut, David Hurlbut, James Hurlbut, and Gary Hurlbut all from various villages in New York. And, more nieces and nephews than you could imagine.
Memorial services will be held for Jeri and Tara Bannister on Sunday, May 15th at the Churches of St. James and Andrews at 8 Church St. in Greenfield, MA.  A FREE Brass Concert starting at 4PM will be followed by a Memorial Service starting at 5PM. Everyone is invited to come celebrate their lives with us. 
Memorial contributions may be made to the Westfield State Foundation ℅ softball, 577 Western Ave, Westfield, MA 01086 where her daughter is the Head Softball Coach. 
Arrangements are under the direction of Kostanski Funeral Home.
For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com

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