Obituary of Rae Ellen Bandera

Rae Ellen Bandera, 84, of Syracuse died December 13, 2023, at the Francis House. Rae Ellen was born December5, 1939 in Syracuse, to Robert and Ruth Burr. She is survived by her four sons, Irving Lyons Jr., Anthony (Laura) Bandera of Fairmount, Nicholas (Bobbi) of Oneida, Christopher (Tammie) of Rockford, Illinois, a sister, Roseanne Jones, a brother, Robert W. Burr; ten granddaughters, Dayna-rae, Ryan, Alexandra, Gabrielle, Julia, Amber, and Ashley; seven grandsons, Jesse, Jake, Luke, Nicholas, Noah, Elijah and Chayne, nieces, Tamra Rood, Richelle Tarris, Robin Owens, Melissa Rank and Samantha Rae Burr.nephews, Tom Jones, Tim Jones, Danny Gomon and Roy Smith.

Rae Ellen was a lifetime resident of Syracuse. She grew up on the Onondaga Nation (Oneida/Turtle Clan), and attended school at the Onondaga Nation, and then Valley Academy.

 Rae Ellen was a caring and giving person, and throughout her life helped others by allowing them to stay with her family, where she gave them refuge, love, nourishment and support. She loved children, and there was not one she could resist.

She loved music especially, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Everly Brothers, and Sam Cooke. In her later years, her favorites were Raul Maol, The Mavericks, Chris Stapleton, and Van Morrison. 

She loved her dog Ziva, and Ziva was always by her side. She loved to bowl and to be together with her friends. She even took first place in a major tournament.

Mostly, she was a devoted mother who raised four sons and was not afraid to remind them who was in charge. She raised them to be self-sufficient, polite, and caring. 

Her greatest love was her husband of fifty-three years Mario Bandera. They we true soulmates, who were rarely apart. Mario was the love of her life. Everyone could see the love between them and how they loved sharing their lives with each other.   

Rae Ellen will be remembered for her beautiful smile, wit, and being a total non-conformist. She was a rebel through and through. She was unapologetically who she was, and that was that. She was fiercely loyal. And, she would always stand up for her family, and friends. She was there when you needed her always. She was loved by many and will be missed by all. Rae of Sunshine.

Calling hours will be Monday, December 18 10 -12:30 am followed by a short memorial service at Ballweg-Lunsford Funeral Home in the Valley.  Burial is private. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Francis House.

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