Tara M. Bannister

Tara M. Bannister, 50, of Davis St. passed away on Monday (12/20/21) at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. She was born at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, CT on March 29, 1971 the daughter of Cedric and Geraldine (Hurlbut) Bannister.

Growing up in Turners Falls, she attended local schools until she attended Stoneleigh Burnham School in Greenfield, MA. At Stoneleigh Burnham, she was an avid singer and dancer. She was also very prominent in the Student Council and an extraordinary debater. She was a very proud Alumna who frequently spoke about how her all-girls school education was the backbone of all she endeavored.

Debate provided her with the opportunity to compete at the college level as she attended The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. She spent a semester at American University, but ended up graduating from USC on 1993 with the double majors of Political Science and International Relations.

Not surprisingly, Tara started a chapter of the Young Democrats at USC and later became the California Delegate to the National Young Democrats Association.

Tara had a keen interest in election law and it propelled her to work for many politicians like Mike Dukakis, Mike Woo, Kathleen Connell, and most notably as the Scheduler to the Lieutenant Governor of California, Gray Davis. Tara became the Senior Advisor to Governor Davis, when he was elected. She even ran for City Councilor of her District in Los Angeles, CA.

Recently, Tara was the Executive Director of the Apartment Owners Association of LA County. She had also been dabbling in entrepreneurship of small women owned businesses.

Although Tara lived in Southern California until September of 2020, she was proud to remind people that she worked to find funding for the Turners Falls High School renovation and that she also worked in the Connecticut State Government for a year.

Tara was a devout Christian. She attended All Saints’ Church in Beverly Hills, CA for 30 years. She was always signing a joyful noise in church and in one of her flashy convertibles. She would send gospel songs to her sister weekly when they touched her heart. 

Tara is survived by the love of her life, her rescued dog, Moonshine; her father Cedric of Turners Falls and her sister Colleen Bannister of Greenfield. She was beloved by her many Aunts, Uncles, and cousins in New York, California, Ireland, and Wales.

She was predeceased by her mother Geraldine “Jeri” on June20, 2021

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 Churches of St James and St Andrews, 8 Church St, Greenfield, MA 01301 or to Stoneleigh Burnham School, 574 Bernardston Rd, Greenfield, MA 01301.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kostanski Funeral Home.

For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com

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