Mary Lee Bankovic

Mary Lee Straub Bankovic, 89, of Cherry Hill Road, St. Marys, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Pinecrest Manor.

She was born February 11, 1937 in St. Marys. Mary Lee was the daughter of late Frank and Marguerite “Peg” Bender Straub.  She was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1955.

Mary Lee married the late Richard “Dick” Bankovic on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1957, in Queen of the World Church.  Following their marriage, they moved to Olean, NY, where they lived for only a year before returning to St. Marys.  In 1970 she and her husband started their own business, Quality Tool & Die, where she worked as secretary until its closing in 2007.  Dick passed away on September 24, 2004.  He was the love of her life.

Mary Lee loved going to McDonald’s with friends for early morning coffee for about thirty years.  She was a dedicated volunteer with “Letters From Home” until its closing in 2012 and continued writing letters to deployed servicemen on her own for another two years.  She was a greeter at Queen of the World Church for several years and loved gardening, she tended to her garden for most of her life.

Mary Lee is survived by four loving sons: Mark Bankovic (Jackie) of Largo, FL, Dave Bankovic (Heather) of Kersey, Dan Bankovic (Amy) of Kersey, and Robert “Bert: of Mountville, PA; six grandchildren: Renee Bauer (DJ), Christie Smith (Jay), Paige Menzel (Ryan), Collin Bankovic, Baird Bankovic, and Riley Bankovic; and six great-grandchildren: Dylan, Jonah, Lucas, Brady, Ethan, and Anna; brother-in-law, Gary Smith, and many nieces and nephews.

Her family was very special to her and she loved having them all together, especially for the holidays.  She found her greatest joy in her grandchildren, cherishing every moment spent with them.  Whether she was cheering from the sidelines at their games and school events, welcoming them into her home after school to help with homework, or simply spending quiet time together, she was a constant source of love and support. S he took pride in caring for each of them, creating a warm and nurturing presence that will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mary Lee was preceded in death by her sister, Gretchen Smith and two brothers, Francis “Frank” X. Straub and Richard “Dick” Straub; brothers-in-law, Jim Leary, Tom Bankovic and Cloy Rhines; and sisters-in-law: Catherine “Kitty” Straub, Kathryn Lenze Straub, Irene “Dolly” Bankovic Leary and Beverly Bankovic Rhines.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Queen of the World Church, Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 10:00AM with Rev. Jeffery Noble, Pastor, celebrating.  Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home, 169 Center Street, St. Marys, PA 15857 on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 from 5:00PM until 7:00PM.

Memorial donations if desired, may be made to Queen of the World Church,134 Queens Road, St. Marys,PA 15857 or to the Christian Food Bank, PO Box 1033, St. Marys, PA 15857.