Lola Carol Goodband Parker, aged 67, passed from this life on July 11, 2013. She was born on 29 July 1945, the eldest child of Albert D. and Eleanor H. (Hotaling) Goodband. She was the widow of George Lewis Parker, Jr. who died in 1966. Lola lived in the Ithaca area most of her life, although she had traveled with her parents when younger. She attended Tompkins-Cortland Community College. She worked at Challenge Industries, Joe's Restaurant, the YMCA, as a teacher's aide at Henry St. John School, a housekeeper at Kenton Plaza, and as a nurse's aide at the Reconstruction Home. Lola was an active volunteer in the Northside Housing Community, Northside Summer Camp, and was also a 4-H leader. After moving to Titus Towers, she spent many hours volunteering at the Starlight Social Club and the Skylight Club, the Red Cross Shelter, Tompkins County Mental Health Association, and Foodnet. She was an active member of the Titus Towers Tenant Council and the Tenant Council's Corps of Volunteers. Her artistic and musical ability was admired by many. She was predeceased by her parents; her brother Clayton Barry Goodband and his wife, Doris "Sissy" (Boynton) Goodband. Lola is survived by her children: Mona A. Juiffre of Georgia, Jason C. Parker of Florida, Naomi G. Acosta of Syracuse, and Jedediah A. Parker of Groton; her grand-children: Ashley Mercadante and Alicia Juiffre, Anthony Acosta and Kendra Cox; her great-grandchildren: James and Charlotte Mercardante; her brothers: Earl "Ike" and Joanne Thomas of Richford, and Kent C. "KC" Thomas; her aunts: Beverly Alfreds and Gladys Andersen of Brooktondale, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. A private burial was held at Caroline Grove Cemetery, and a Celebration of Lola's Life will be held at the Titus Towers Community Room, 29 July (her birthday) at 2:00 p.m.

-Published in Ithaca Journal on July 20, 2013