Tribute to Betty Bannon

 
Tribute to Betty Bannon
 
 
 
By Scott R. Schulick
Past District Governor, Rotary District 6650, 2018-19
Past President, Rotary Club of Youngstown
 
It was with great sadness to learn of the death of our beloved former club pianist, Betty Bannon.  What a joy she was to all who knew her!
The story of how Betty came to be our pianist is one of fate and chance.  When I was club president in 2003-04, our long time executive secretary and pianist, Ruth Crawford, took a fall and was never really able to come back to the club permanently as either secretary or pianist.  Ruth had been pianist for 38 years, preceded by Lillian Stambaugh, who had held the position for 50 years prior to Ruth.  So in 88 years, only two women played piano weekly at Rotary Club of Youngstown.  It was no easy task to replace Ruth, and these were large shoes to fill.  I quickly reached out to Jackie Bibo, a well known pianist and community advocate.  Jackie had often played at club events over the years, and I got to know Jackie through club past president Dick Barrett.  While she was intrigued by the possibility, Jackie ultimately declined, not wanting to commit to a weekly "gig."  However, Jackie said, "Scott, I've got a friend that might be interested.  Her name is Betty Bannon, and you should call her."  And call her I did.  I remember the conversation well.  It was upbeat, and she was excited by the possibility.  She was bursting with ideas. She noted, "by the way, I also play the accordion."  With that, I was sold, and Betty and I discussed the many possibilities that her music could create.  The offer was $25 weekly and a free lunch.  I think the lunch attracted her more than the money!
I remember Week One vividly.  While Ruth had a wonderful repertoire, and I can still hear her playing in the distance as I walked into Rotary weekly, Betty brought her own style and flair to the job.  Immediately at her first meeting, she dazzled our members with a new energy, many of them commenting after the meeting how much they enjoyed her music.  Betty took the job seriously.  She would try to match music with the meeting, or the season.  She loved the music of the Rotary songbook, much of which is the American songbook, but loved to bring music not in the book as well.  She would say, "Scott, what do you think of....?" and I always replied, "Betty, that is a great idea."  One fall, she insisted we learn "Shine on Harvest Moon."  She brought little slips with the words, and before we knew it, we were all singing along.  Every time I hear that song, I think of Betty.  Often she would be sure we had the correct words and verses for patriotic songs.  Who can forget holiday parties with Betty serving as the entertainment, leading sing-a-longs, especially the 12 days of Christmas, assigning members to flip cards with images depicting the various days, or secretly writing a song about that year's theme with various Rotarians at my second president's party to the tune of "Puff the Magic Dragon."
Betty was thoughtful and never missed a beat (pun intended). She spontaneously would do special things.  When we held a moment of silence in someone's memory, she played a beautiful musical tribute to follow.  She loved to match music to personalities as well.  Who can forget her playing keys as someone would walk up to the podium, in perfect cadence?  And of course, introducing Becky Keck weekly with "The Girl from Ipanema," which was her take on Becky's trip to Brazil for the Rotary convention that year.
While many Rotarians today loathe club singing, and some have politicked to eliminate it completely, Betty found it as refreshing as Paul Harris and Harry Ruggles (early founders of Rotary International) did when they instituted it into the Rotary meeting to "clear the lungs," to create a jovial atmosphere and humor into club meetings.  Betty was in her prime when our former member, classical singer Elsa Higby, joined.  The two of them conspired each week to outdo their previous performance.  My favorite was listening to their Beatles rendition as Elsa sang and Betty played on.
Over the years, Betty became a great friend.  I hired her to play at my parents' surprise 60th birthday party.  She insisted that I hire her "trio" with her on accordion, and Jeff and Susan on bass and violin.  How could I resist?  They stole the show!  So, I hired her again and again (and the trio) for family functions and Rotary socials alike.  The next thing I knew, she showed up with a second regular gig at the Rotary Club of Boardman.
After Betty had been with us 10 years, she was elected an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Youngstown.  Betty took her membership seriously.  She was active in club activities, and contributed time, talent, and treasure to projects.  After the tragic loss of her son, Chuck, to ALS, she and her family annually participated in the Tri-State Trek cycling event raising thousands of dollars through "Crush ALS/TEAM BANNON" in Chuck's memory to research ALS and find a cure.  Many Rotarians supported that cause over several years.
Betty was devout in her faith and active in music ministry at St. Charles Church.  Years ago, she gave me the book "My Life with the Saints," by Fr. James Martin, S.J., and encouraged me to study the saints of the Catholic Church.  I still have that book and think of Betty when I see it on my bookshelf.
What a gift Betty was to all who had the privilege to know her and enjoy her music.  As she approached 90 years just before the COVID lockdown, she could not play for us weekly because of driving ability, a fall at home and the natural aging process.  But for nearly 16 years, she served our club faithfully.  We expect Luke Politsky, at his very youthful age, to carry on the legacy of Lillian, Ruth and Betty, as now our 4th club pianist in 107 years.
Let's pull out the Rotary songbook one meeting soon, and sing one for Betty.  Maybe #4?  "Smile, and the world smiles with you. ... sing a song."  We sure did a lot of smiling when Betty Bannon was in the room.  Rest in peace, dear friend.