Obituary of Patricia Banks Veal

Patricia Banks Veal passed away April 29, 2017 at home with her loving family by her side after a long illness. Pat was born in Bristol, New Brunswick to Anna and Garrett Banks. "Patsy" spent her early years in Hartland, New Brunswick and at the age of 13, she and her family moved to the United States, settling in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the age of 20, Pat became a naturalized United States citizen. Pat was a graduate of El Cerrito, CA High School and while there, she met and fell in love with a charming football player who would become her husband of 57 years. While raising a young family, Pat was a homemaker who kept the home fires burning while Bob traveled extensively for his job. Pat and Bob spent many happy years in the Bay Area and in 1971 moved to New York and then to Houlton, Maine in 1973.  Pat was employed for a number of years at Houlton Regional Hospital and after their retirement, Pat and Bob spent their time in Bangor and Cave Creek, Arizona. Pat's passions were her home, family and her faith which saw her through the challenges in her life. She was also a talented artist and enjoyed sewing, quilting, knitting and painting. She approached life with strength and positivity.  Despite her illness, she lived each day to the fullest and with a happy heart. Pat was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend.  Anyone who had the pleasure of having her in their life was a better person for having known her.

Pat was predeceased by her parents, brother Lowell Banks and her loving husband Bob. She is survived by daughters Beth Adams and husband Bill of Levant, Leslie Spencer and husband James of Glenburn and son Robert Veal of Hermon.  She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Justine Spencer of Washington, D.C, James Spencer of Glenburn, Benjamin Adams of Fayetteville, NC, Joel Adams of Savannah, GA and Jessica Pohlman of Broken Arrow, OK.  Pat will also be missed and remembered by her “circle of friends” Sheilia Lewis, Glenna and David Seely, Bill and Doris Chambers, Darlene Doolittle, Sharon and George Hatch and family friend Kay Zimmer as well as friends until the end, Smudge and Katie.

Family and friends may visit 5 – 7 PM Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor. A service honoring Pat’s life will be held 11 AM Thursday, May 4, 2017 at First United Methodist Church, 703 Essex St., Bangor with Rev. Arlene Tully, senior pastor, presiding. Burial will be at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Augusta.  For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to The Lupus Foundation of America at lupus.org or the Furry Friends Food Bank through Eastern Area Agency on Aging, 450 Essex St., Bangor 04401or at eaaa.org. Messages and memories may be shared with her family at kileyandfoley.com.