In Loving Memory ofMary Virginia BanningNov. 24, 1919 ~ Nov. 3, 2011MARY V. BANNING, 91, of Ft. Myers, FL, formerly of College Park, MD, died November 3, 2011, at Arden Courts assisted living in Ft. Myers, FL. She was born on November 24, 1919, in Montpelier, OH, daughter of Melvin Ora Shade and Barbara "Mamie" Shade. Born into a farming family, Mary was active in 4-H Club work as a child, winning many awards. She attended Purdue University in Home Economics, continuing a lifelong interest in sewing and the science of cooking. Between 1962 and 1963, she developed and tested bulgar wheat recipes for use in fallout shelters for the United States Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA.Mary supported her husband, Dr. John W. Banning, and his long career at the USDA Extension Service, where he became National Director of 4-H Clubs of America. John's work took the couple to over sixty countries, supporting the International Foreign Youth Exchange (IFYE). Mary was a tax preparer and an accountant at the University of Maryland Book Exchange and at Carroll Manor in Hyattsville, MD. She participated in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, National Institute of Health, from 1978 to 2009. After retirement to Ft. Myers in 1985, she was the editor of the Eagle Ridge Community paper, and wrote a food column called Culinary Talk.A member of the Royal Palm Garden Club and the Continental Women's Club of Greater Ft. Myers, Mary was an avid lover of theater, music, orchids, bridge and good humor. Mary was preceded in death in 1999 by her husband of 60 years, John, and her sister, Velma Benjamin of Montpelier, OH. She is survived by her four loving children Bhakti Banning of Salt Lake City, UT, J. William Banning of San Francisco, CA, Beverly Banning Bickhart of Cape Coral, FL, and Brenda Banning McIlvaine of Kingsland, GA. She has five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.A family service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft. Myers, 1311 Shire Lane, Ft. Myers, at a later date. At that time ashes will be scattered in the memorial garden and a plaque will be placed next to her husbands. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the International Four-H Youth Exchange Foundation of the USA, Inc. at the following address: 29470 Saxon Road, Toulon, IL 61483