Distinguished World Lithuanian Community Member Vida Bandis Passes Away 

Vida Julia Bandis, an active US-Lithuanian and distinguished member of the World Lithuanian Community (WLC), has passed away in her 92nd year. Her passing was announced on Tuesday by the World Lithuanian Community.

"It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to a prominent figure of both the diaspora and Lithuania—our colleague and friend, Vida Bandis. Her life was inspiring, filled with dedication not only to the World Lithuanian Community, sports, education, and science, but also marked by responsibility and a firm moral compass. She united people, strengthened ties, and left a significant mark on our collective work," expressed Dalia Henke, Chair of the WLC.

Biography and Career

Born in Molėtai on November 28, 1934, Vida emigrated to the USA during World War II. She completed her secondary education there, earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, a Master’s from Ball State University, and completed doctoral studies at the University of Maryland.

For over 40 years, she worked as a finance and management specialist in higher education, serving as the Executive Vice President of University of Maryland University College. Between 1960 and 1999, she lived and worked in both Germany and the USA.

Return to Lithuania

In 1999, she returned to Lithuania, where she served as:

• Director of the Financial Policy Department at the Ministry of Education and Science.
• Director of the Support Center for Foreign Lithuanians.
• Director of the Baltic Management Institute.
• From 2009 to 2022, she served as the pro bono representative of the World Lithuanian Community in Lithuania.

Awards and Recognition

For her lifelong service, she was honored with:

• 2018: The Officer's Cross of the Order "For Merits to Lithuania."
• 2019: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' medal "For Merits of World Lithuanians to Lithuania."
• 2022: The Global Lithuania Award for "Lifetime Achievement."

Official Condolences

Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament), Juozas Olekas, stated: "We have lost an exceptional personality who dedicated her entire life to Lithuania and the strengthening of the global Lithuanian fellowship. Her contribution to education and the strengthening of the state leaves a lasting legacy."

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, 

added: "Vida Bandis’s entire life was an example of exceptional dedication to the Homeland. She used the academic and professional experience gained in the USA to foster our country’s growth, choosing a path of responsible service to an independent Lithuania."

Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) also expressed condolences, noting her role as a VMU Council member (2010–2015) and her help in organizing the 16th World Lithuanian Symposium on Arts and Sciences.