Diane Wike Banton passed away peacefully at 87 on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021

Diane Wike Banton was born on March 12, 1934, in El Paso, TX, to Maxine McDonald and Ralph Adam Wike. As a child, she moved often, spending the most time in Little Compton, RI, Upper Darby, PA, and Chicago, IL.

She met her husband, Marvin Banton, while she was a student at the University of California at Santa Barbara. They married at on February 26, 1954, at the beautiful Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. They went on to live together in Cleveland, OH, Roosevelt Roads naval station in Puerto Rico, New Orleans, LA, and finally in Purcellville, VA, where she was a resident for over 30 years. Together they raised four daughters: Betsy, Marcy, Heather, and Heidi.

Diane traveled often, and fell in love with many places around the world, including Dauphin Island, AL, Aspen, CO, and Scotland and England, where she became enamored with British history, culture, and the rolling landscapes.

Diane’s life was full of adventure and curiosity. She had many interests and hobbies, and was fueled by a love of learning and the world around her. She was a docent at the New Orleans Museum of Art and was on the Board of the Women’s Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association. She loved to sew and was a skilled seamstress. She was also an incredible cook and baker, and her Christmas cookie recipes live on within her family. She had a genuine fondness for animals, and cared for many cats, dogs, and horses throughout her long life.

She loved reading and spent most mornings with her Bible and evenings devouring books on history, particularly British history and politics.

Diane leaves behind many who love and will miss her. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Marvin Banton, and her four daughters: Betsy Mitchell (Steven Mitchell), Marcy Banton (Michael Freeman), Heather Heithoff (Kim Heithoff), and Heidi McPhillips (Brian McPhillips).

She will be missed by her 10 grandchildren whom she deeply adored: Olivia Fleming (Nick Fleming), Alexandra Geeslin (Trey Geeslin), Rebecca Freeman (Seth Dickey), Amelia Leong (Frank Leong), James Freeman (Suvi Fong), Rose Heithoff (David Dukes), Banton Heithoff (Tara Mullen), August Heithoff, Chancellor Hendley (Jess Hendley), and Molly McPhillips, as well as eight great-grandchildren: Elle Fleming, Jude Fleming, Arthur Leong, Henry Leong, Paul Leong, Samuel Freeman, Ronan Dickey, and Guinevere Hendley. 

A private service was held for Diane’s family on May 1st, 2021, in Purcellville, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Diane’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.