NAPLES — Jeannette Bancroft, 76, passed away on Thursday, April 11, 2019, with her loving family by her side at her Naples residence following a short illness.

She was born Oct. 22, 1942, in Portland, the daughter of Everette Bancroft and Almira Bancroft-Lamirande. As a young woman, Jeannette learned to knit, crochet and make potholders. Jeannette’s biggest love and enjoyment came from working in the Seedling Greenhouse program offered by the Morrison Center in Portland and Scarborough. This program provided Jeannette with the opportunity to feel independence and experience growth. She not only learned how to care for her plants but, she also became quite the entrepreneur by selling her plants and potholders to anyone who would buy them. This is one company the IRS never had their hands involved in. Jeannette’s infectious smile lightened everyone’s day, and if that didn’t work, then her jokes did. 

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Evelyn Walsh; and three brothers, Edward, Arthur and James Bancroft.

She is survived by her sisters, Florence Pooler of Portland, Susan Hendel of Ohio, Linda J. Doughty of Limington, Mary Davis and Libby Graffam of North Bridgton and Linda L. Bancroft-Norden of Scarborough; her brothers, Bobby Bancroft of Portland, Billy Bancroft of California, Donald F. Bancroft of Raymond, and Don D. Bancroft of Portland; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a graveside burial held this summer at Greenwood Cemetery in Biddeford.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jeannette may be made to the Morrison Center.