Hannah Purvis Bancroft

1976 - 2021

Hannah Purvis Bancroft
Wilmington, NC—Hannah Rebecca Purvis Bancroft, passed away peacefully from an illness on April 9, 2021 at Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center of Wilmington. She was born July 27,1976 in Fayetteville, NC.
A cherished daughter of Rebecca Neilson Hamilton and the late Patrick Purvis, Hannah was a loving, cheerful and gregarious child. Raised with her sister Sarah and brother Patrick, she made friends with everyone and had the sweetest spirit about her, a quality that never wavered during her lifetime. During her youth she was involved in many artistic and social activities which included dance, piano, cheer, and Brownies. Hannah was a 1995 graduate of The Fayetteville Academy and graduated from Saint Mary's College in 1997. She then attended the University of North Carolina – Wilmington from 1997-2000. Hannah met Cliff Bancroft in Wilmington and they dated for seven years, before marrying in 2019.
Hannah worked at the Verizon call center in Wilmington for 12 years where she made many friendships and lasting impressions with her colleagues. She treated her co-workers as family and was a very hard worker. Her diligence was rewarded in 2015 when she received Verizon's President's Award for Excellence. This recognition of exceptional teamwork, leadership, and service is only awarded to a handful of the more than 100,000 Verizon employees each year. Receiving this award was one of the highlights of Hannah's career.
Hannah defined the word sociable; she never met a stranger. Upon meeting her for the first time, you would become a friend for life. She collected friends from all walks of life, and had the ability to make each one feel uniquely special. If you were with Hannah you felt like the only person in the room. She was very patient, intuitive, and a wonderful listener. All of her friends enjoyed her compassion, kindness and encouragement. Hannah lived her life according to The Golden Rule. Not only did she do unto others as she would have others do unto her, she would constantly and selflessly put others above her own wants. If any of her friends or family were ever in need, she would immediately drop what she was doing to attend to them. Hannah was a creative soul. She had amazing artistic talent. She could draw anything, loved making crafts, had a beautiful voice, and would bake spectacular cakes for her friends and family. Hannah loved all things bright and beautiful. She was usually dressed in vivid clothes with colorful jewelry. Music was very important to Hannah. She particularly loved music that told a story. She and Cliff loved attending concerts. Hannah's niece and nephews all claimed that she was the best aunt in the world. She was immensely proud of them all and was actively involved in their lives.
In addition to her father, Hannah is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents George and Evelyn Purvis, paternal uncle George Purvis, Jr., maternal grandparents Jack and Sarah Neilson, cousin Robert Neilson, and mother-in-law Carolyn Bancroft.
She is survived by her husband, Cliff Bancroft, mother and step-father Becky and Charlie Hamilton, sister, Sarah Petersen (Scott), niece Mary Petersen, nephew Scottie Petersen, brother Patrick Purvis (nephew, Caleb Purvis-Lisk), aunt Donna Purvis (James Butler), aunt and uncle Nancy and Barry Poe (cousin Virginia Barry Christopher), uncle and aunt Bob and Chris Neilson (cousins, Casey Rutstein and Cara Neilson), sister-in-law Jenny Bancroft Adams (Austin), (nephews Miles and Henry Bancroft), She is also survived by the thousands of people who were lucky enough to call Hannah a friend.
Hannah's celebration of life service will be Saturday, April 17th, 11am at Winter Park Baptist Church, Wilmington, NC. Family will receive guests immediately following the service until 1pm in the church sanctuary.
Memorials may be made to a charitable organization of your choosing in lieu of flowers.
Hannah Purvis Bancroft always saw the best in people and in the world. Although her presence on earth was way too short, her radiant personality left a bright light that will never be dimmed.