Maude Genevieve Bannkratze Piller, known to her friends as Mitzi, died peacefully at her home with her family present in Lexington on Monday, January 24, 2022, at age 89, after a battle with cancer.
Born in Syracuse, N.Y., on August 20, 1932, Mitzi was raised by her adored parents, Irene Inger Gibson Bannkratze and William Roberts Bannkratze in Verona Beach, N.Y., at their house affectionately known as "Back Home."
Her high school years were spent in Chicago, Ill. She was a highly competitive, national class swimmer. She was a voracious reader. Mitzi graduated from Carthage College (then located at Carthage, Ill.) in 1953 with degrees in English literature and physical education, and thereafter commenced her career in teaching, to which she brought considerable passion. She taught for one year in Ellenville, N.Y., and then taught English and physical education in Utica, N.Y. from 1954 through 1962. She earned a master's degree in English literature from Syracuse University in 1958.
Mitzi was an active member of Utica area ski clubs, and she played the role of "Ado Annie" in the Utica Player's Theater 1958 production of "Oklahoma."
Mitzi had a zest for life, adventure, travel and for meeting people. She also had a lifelong love of the Adirondacks. On Labor Day weekend, 1960, Mitzi met the love of her life, Samuel Piller, in Lake George, N.Y. She was proposed to at the former flagpole site at the Top of the World Resort on French Mountain in Lake George. They were married at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Utica, N.Y., on October 6, 1962.
Mitzi described her greatest achievements in life to be her 46-year marriage to her beloved husband, and her two children, Gretchen Clementine Piller (born 1963) and Jacob "Jack" Piller (born 1965).
Mitzi briefly resided in Berkley Heights, N.J., and Bridgewater, N.J., before settling in 1968 at 1 Ski Hill Drive in Bedminster, N.J., where she made a home with her family.
As her children grew older, Mitzi commenced a 27-year substitute teaching career at Bedminster Township School in Bedminster, N.J., where she taught generations of students. She often remarked how lucky she was to get paid for pursuing her passion. As late as days before her death, Mitzi remarked that she had never met a child that she did not like.
In late 2003, Mitzi and her husband relocated to Keene, N.Y., in her beloved Adirondack Mountains. She became a fixture in the Keene community, and she was a regular and enthusiastic rider of the Plattsburgh Senior bus.
Finally, in July 2019, Mitzi relocated to the Kendal at Lexington Life Plan Community. She swam most days at Kendal, and she most enjoyed her weekly Vespers group.
Mitzi was predeceased by her husband, parents, and sisters Gretchen and Roberta, and leaves behind her daughter of New York, N.Y., her son and daughter-in-law, Susanna Elizabeth Piller of Lexington, and countless friends from all regions of the country whom she adored to the last. She will be sadly missed. May she rest in peace.
Harrison Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
