Martha Banda

BANDA - Martha (Rybar), 87; died January 27, 2022 at home.  She was born May 17, 1934 in Johnstown, to Stephen and Anna (Cushman) Rybar. Preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Mary Judith Janak; brother, Donald Rybar and sister, Dolores Evans .  She is survived by her husband, Nicholas Banda; daughters Judith Ann Rees, Port Orange, FL and Ann Judith (Rees) Rozsi, Rose City, MI.  Martha felt blessed to have four grandchildren, Jennifer Burby, Amanda McQuigg, Donald Rozsi and her namesake, Martha McRoy; and four great grandchildren.  She was a faithful member of the Roman Catholic Church, celebrating the word as a parishioner of St. Benedict Parish, where she served as a reader, a member of the Resurrection Choir and as an Eucharistic Minister.  Martha was an adorer of the Holy Eucharist at St. Patrick Chapel from its’ inception in 1994 and she was a Benedictine Oblate affiliated with St. Vincent Archabbey since 1993.  She was also thrilled to be a member of the Cursillo movement.  Martha, a retired City of Johnstown elementary school teacher was active within the Johnstown community serving as the first democratic woman to be elected to the Johnstown City Council in 1978.  She was an elected member of the Democratic State Committee and served as an appointed member and chairperson  of the Johnstown Housing Authority and secretary of the Cambria County War Memorial Authority.  She was elected by council to serve as Deputy Mayor of Johnstown for four years and also, served as a member ot the Salvation Army Advisory Board.  She instituted the first Moxham Community Crime Watch program with 270 participants, when she was president of the Moxham Citizen’s Association in 1979.  She also served on the Bottle Works Board, a member of the American Association of University Women, Quota Club, Chrysanthemum Society, and the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees. Martha relished reading fine literature, especially that of David McCullough and James Michener. She loved to travel and believed that by seeing the world and seeing how people lived elsewhere, gave her a true perspective on life.  She had a fondness for most music, especially jazz and songs sung by Frank Sinatra. She truly loved life!  Friends and family will be received from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m., Monday at the Francis G. Ozog Funeral Home Inc., Broad Street. Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. at St. Benedict Catholic Church, the Rev. David S. Peles, celebrant.  Interment will take place at St. Nicholas Cemetery, Benshoff Hill. Condolences may be sent at fgozogfuneralhome.com

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