Nina Riihinen Banker

Nina Riihinen Banker, 84, of Newfield, NY passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025. Nina was born on September 6, 1941 to the late Paul and Dorothy Marshall Riihinen. She grew up in West Danby and attended Newfield Central School, where she graduated Salutatorian of her class in 1959.

During her childhood, while making clothes for her paper dolls, she dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, but it was her fascination with celebrities and movie stars that led her to major in Theater/Communications at SUNY Geneseo, where she performed in several theater productions.

After starting her family, Nina had several jobs before settling into a 30 year career as a Customer Service Representative for Morse Chain/Emerson Power Transmission, retiring in 2004. She developed an interest in genealogy and became the Marshall Family Historian. Family was always the most important aspect of Nina's life. Making people laugh was also a must, as she would apply her sense of humor to any conversation. In her free time, she was an avid reader, letting the stories take her away and enjoyed winning at a good game of Scrabble. She loved solving crossword and jigsaw puzzles, as a way to keep her mind sharp.

Nina is survived by her daughters Lorri Banker and Keeli (Jeff) Mangle-Rouse; her sisters Linda (Paul) Konzik and Jill (Paul) Franke; sister in law Dixie Riihinen and several nephews, nieces and cousins.

In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her son, Rick Banker and her brother, Paul Riihinen.

Special thanks go out to the wonderful staff at Mercy House for their expert care and heartfelt support.

Donations in Nina's memory can be made to Mercy House of the Southern Tier in Endicott, NY; Ithaca Hospicare in Ithaca, NY or the American Cancer Society.

No services will be held at Nina's request. A private burial will be held at the West Danby Cemetery at the family's convenience and a Celebration of Life will be set at a later date.