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
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Martha Banda was one of the most accomplished and influential women ever involved in Johnstown government.
She was the first woman from the Democratic Party elected to Johnstown City Council in 1978, eventually becoming deputy mayor.
Banda also chaired the Johnstown Housing Authority and served on the Cambria County War Memorial Authority and the Democratic State Committee. Outside politics, she worked as an elementary school teacher in the Greater Johnstown School District.
Banda, 87, died on Thursday, with services held on Monday. Over those days, colleagues, family members and friends recalled the contributions she made to her community.
"I know her family and others are mourning now, but I think we look back at a life well lived, and it was often lived for the benefit of some of the others," said Gerald Zahorchak, a former Democratic City Council member and Greater Johnstown School District superintendent.
Don Zucco, former mayor and school district superintendent, recalled Banda as "a good human being, a good-quality person."
"On the council, she was someone that was very cooperative, collaborative," said Zucco, a Republican.
"She wanted to get things done. We worked together, I thought, very well. We always had our mind set on getting some big things done while we were there."
Zucco said Banda contributed to many projects, including the Point Stadium rebuild, construction of the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center and retrofitting of the Cambria County War Memorial.
"In my mind, she could see what it takes to get things done, understood you've got to work together, and you've got to have a clear vision of where you want to go and how you want to get there," Zucco said. "I always enjoyed working with her."
Brian Subich, a Republican who joined council in his 20s, still recalls the way Banda worked for the betterment of the city.
"The most important thing that I remember about Martha is that, our political parties – or the difference of our political parties – didn't matter to her," Subich said. "What mattered to her was getting something productive done for Johnstown. That was my first impression of her."
Banda was involved with St. Benedict Catholic Church, the Cursillo movement, the Salvation Army, Moxham Community Crime Watch, Moxham Citizen's Association, Bottle Works, American Association of University Women, Quota International, National Chrysanthemum Society and Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees.
Zahorchak called her "a good model for what citizens should do."
In all of her work, Banda "always had a positive word and always had a smile on her face," according to Subich.
"No matter what the situation was, she always stayed positive," Subich said. "She always projected an image of positivity and that no matter what the problem was that we could work through it and get it done."
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Martha Banda was one of the most accomplished and influential women ever involved in Johnstown government.
She was the first woman from the Democratic Party elected to Johnstown City Council in 1978, eventually becoming deputy mayor.
Banda also chaired the Johnstown Housing Authority and served on the Cambria County War Memorial Authority and the Democratic State Committee. Outside politics, she worked as an elementary school teacher in the Greater Johnstown School District.
Banda, 87, died on Thursday, with services held on Monday. Over those days, colleagues, family members and friends recalled the contributions she made to her community.
"I know her family and others are mourning now, but I think we look back at a life well lived, and it was often lived for the benefit of some of the others," said Gerald Zahorchak, a former Democratic City Council member and Greater Johnstown School District superintendent.
Don Zucco, former mayor and school district superintendent, recalled Banda as "a good human being, a good-quality person."
"On the council, she was someone that was very cooperative, collaborative," said Zucco, a Republican.
"She wanted to get things done. We worked together, I thought, very well. We always had our mind set on getting some big things done while we were there."
Zucco said Banda contributed to many projects, including the Point Stadium rebuild, construction of the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center and retrofitting of the Cambria County War Memorial.
"In my mind, she could see what it takes to get things done, understood you've got to work together, and you've got to have a clear vision of where you want to go and how you want to get there," Zucco said. "I always enjoyed working with her."
Brian Subich, a Republican who joined council in his 20s, still recalls the way Banda worked for the betterment of the city.
"The most important thing that I remember about Martha is that, our political parties – or the difference of our political parties – didn't matter to her," Subich said. "What mattered to her was getting something productive done for Johnstown. That was my first impression of her."
Banda was involved with St. Benedict Catholic Church, the Cursillo movement, the Salvation Army, Moxham Community Crime Watch, Moxham Citizen's Association, Bottle Works, American Association of University Women, Quota International, National Chrysanthemum Society and Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees.
Zahorchak called her "a good model for what citizens should do."
In all of her work, Banda "always had a positive word and always had a smile on her face," according to Subich.
"No matter what the situation was, she always stayed positive," Subich said. "She always projected an image of positivity and that no matter what the problem was that we could work through it and get it done."
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
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Martha Banda was one of the most accomplished and influential women ever involved in Johnstown government.
She was the first woman from the Democratic Party elected to Johnstown City Council in 1978, eventually becoming deputy mayor.
Banda also chaired the Johnstown Housing Authority and served on the Cambria County War Memorial Authority and the Democratic State Committee. Outside politics, she worked as an elementary school teacher in the Greater Johnstown School District.
Banda, 87, died on Thursday, with services held on Monday. Over those days, colleagues, family members and friends recalled the contributions she made to her community.
"I know her family and others are mourning now, but I think we look back at a life well lived, and it was often lived for the benefit of some of the others," said Gerald Zahorchak, a former Democratic City Council member and Greater Johnstown School District superintendent.
Don Zucco, former mayor and school district superintendent, recalled Banda as "a good human being, a good-quality person."
"On the council, she was someone that was very cooperative, collaborative," said Zucco, a Republican.
"She wanted to get things done. We worked together, I thought, very well. We always had our mind set on getting some big things done while we were there."
Zucco said Banda contributed to many projects, including the Point Stadium rebuild, construction of the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center and retrofitting of the Cambria County War Memorial.
"In my mind, she could see what it takes to get things done, understood you've got to work together, and you've got to have a clear vision of where you want to go and how you want to get there," Zucco said. "I always enjoyed working with her."
Brian Subich, a Republican who joined council in his 20s, still recalls the way Banda worked for the betterment of the city.
"The most important thing that I remember about Martha is that, our political parties – or the difference of our political parties – didn't matter to her," Subich said. "What mattered to her was getting something productive done for Johnstown. That was my first impression of her."
Banda was involved with St. Benedict Catholic Church, the Cursillo movement, the Salvation Army, Moxham Community Crime Watch, Moxham Citizen's Association, Bottle Works, American Association of University Women, Quota International, National Chrysanthemum Society and Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees.
Zahorchak called her "a good model for what citizens should do."
In all of her work, Banda "always had a positive word and always had a smile on her face," according to Subich.
"No matter what the situation was, she always stayed positive," Subich said. "She always projected an image of positivity and that no matter what the problem was that we could work through it and get it done."
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Martha Banda was one of the most accomplished and influential women ever involved in Johnstown government.
She was the first woman from the Democratic Party elected to Johnstown City Council in 1978, eventually becoming deputy mayor.
Banda also chaired the Johnstown Housing Authority and served on the Cambria County War Memorial Authority and the Democratic State Committee. Outside politics, she worked as an elementary school teacher in the Greater Johnstown School District.
Banda, 87, died on Thursday, with services held on Monday. Over those days, colleagues, family members and friends recalled the contributions she made to her community.
"I know her family and others are mourning now, but I think we look back at a life well lived, and it was often lived for the benefit of some of the others," said Gerald Zahorchak, a former Democratic City Council member and Greater Johnstown School District superintendent.
Don Zucco, former mayor and school district superintendent, recalled Banda as "a good human being, a good-quality person."
"On the council, she was someone that was very cooperative, collaborative," said Zucco, a Republican.
"She wanted to get things done. We worked together, I thought, very well. We always had our mind set on getting some big things done while we were there."
Zucco said Banda contributed to many projects, including the Point Stadium rebuild, construction of the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center and retrofitting of the Cambria County War Memorial.
"In my mind, she could see what it takes to get things done, understood you've got to work together, and you've got to have a clear vision of where you want to go and how you want to get there," Zucco said. "I always enjoyed working with her."
Brian Subich, a Republican who joined council in his 20s, still recalls the way Banda worked for the betterment of the city.
"The most important thing that I remember about Martha is that, our political parties – or the difference of our political parties – didn't matter to her," Subich said. "What mattered to her was getting something productive done for Johnstown. That was my first impression of her."
Banda was involved with St. Benedict Catholic Church, the Cursillo movement, the Salvation Army, Moxham Community Crime Watch, Moxham Citizen's Association, Bottle Works, American Association of University Women, Quota International, National Chrysanthemum Society and Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees.
Zahorchak called her "a good model for what citizens should do."
In all of her work, Banda "always had a positive word and always had a smile on her face," according to Subich.
"No matter what the situation was, she always stayed positive," Subich said. "She always projected an image of positivity and that no matter what the problem was that we could work through it and get it done."
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