ARLEILE H. BANKS BANGOR – Arleile H. Banks, 99, two weeks shy of celebrating her 100th birthday, died unexpectedly Aug. 24, 2008, at a Bangor hospital. She was the wife for 50 years to the late George P. Banks. Arleile was born Sept. 6, 1908, in Hermon to Harry L. and Mabel (Kelly) Sweetser. She attended elementary school in Hermon, but upon reaching high school age, she traveled by train to Bangor to attend Bangor High School. After graduation she moved with her family to Florida. She later returned to Bangor and graduated from Eastern Maine General Hospital as a registered nurse. Arleile was a member of First United Methodist Church, Bangor, United Methodist Wo-men and several other groups within the church. She was a former member of Kings Daughters and Sons and U.C.T. Ladies Club. She was a member of Athene Club, Sunshine Club for Children, Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Auxiliary, Eastern Maine Medical Center/ Husson Nurses Alumni Association, Bangor Area Nurses, Pine Tree Society for Children and Adults, YWCA, Friends of the Symphony and Tuscon Chapter No. 148 Order of the Eastern Star of Bangor. Arleile was a charter member of Saturday Nighters. She enjoyed dancing, playing bridge, golf, reading and working in her flower and vegetable gardens. She enjoyed her summer home at Bayside and golfing at Bayside Golf Club and Penobscot Valley Country Club. Arleile had resided at Boyd Place for the last eight years and enjoyed her many friends there. Her days were brightened by her interactions with the administrators, employees and the numerous activities that were provided. She was a lovely, kind and soft-spoken lady who showed a touch of humor when least expected. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, visiting with her children and family, dining out for lunch and a Sunday afternoon scenic ride. Surviving are three children, Capt. William K. Banks, U.S. Navy retired, and his wife, Sandra, of Scarborough and Virginia Beach, Va., Joanne B. Miller and her husband, San-ford, of Bangor and Frank L. Banks and his wife, Marion, of Fairfax, Va.; 10 grandchildren, Lauri Dean and her husband, John, Steven Banks, Lynaire Campbell and her husband, Ron, Susan Banks and her partner, Donna Cox, Kimberly Lamson, Kathleen Wadleigh, Karen Dow and her husband, Joshua, Catherine Banks and her husband, Reid, Julia Burns and her husband, Philip and Christopher Banks; 11 great-grandchildren, Lindsey and Andrew Dean, Victoria and Taylor Banks, Jessica and Josh Lamson, Gwendaline and Amy Wadleigh, Allison Dow, Benjamin and Alexander Burns; one great-great-granddaughter, Nichole; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Lloyd Sweetser; a sister, Vivian Batchelder; a grandson, Andrew; and a great-grandson, Steven Banks II. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 4-7 p.m. Wed-nesday, Aug. 27, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where a celebration of her life will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, with the Rev. Dr. Randall C. Chretien officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments after the ser-vice at Brookings-Smith Family Center, 163 Center St., Bangor. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Those wishing to remember Arleile in a special way may contribute in her memory to Sunshine Club for Children, 586 Main St., Bangor, ME 04401 or Boyd Place Activities, 21 Boyd St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.