Jeanne Bancroft

Jeanne (Sadeck) Bancroft, 92, of New Bedford, MA died peacefully at home on March 4, 2026, surrounded by her family after a period of declining health.
She was the wife of the late William Bancroft, with whom she shared 51 years of marriage.
Born on February 2, 1934 in New Bedford, daughter of the late Marshall C. and Eva A. (Chicoine) Sadeck, she resided there in the city until moving to Mattapoisett in 1974 and residing there for many years.
She was the loving mother of 5 children, Colleen Gordon and her husband Herbert of Fairhaven and New Bedford, Kathleen Tavares and her husband Anthony of Stuart, FL, Debra Kershaw and her husband John of Maui, HI and Joyce Lavoie and her husband Regis of Mattapoisett. She was the mother of the late Daniel Bancroft. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Cheryl Bancroft of Oviedo, FL; 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren (with another on the way) whom she loved and cherished throughout her life.
She was a faithful and active parishioner of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in New Bedford for 74 years, and served actively there in many capacities. She was a long-time member of the Holy Name Couples Club for many years, serving on many committees to facilitate dances, dinners, raffles, and bazaars to raise funds to support the parish. She was also a member of the Holy Name Ladies Guild for many years as well.
A long-time member of the Holy Name Church choir, along with her husband, she contributed her beautiful soprano voice to every Sunday Mass and at various other parish events.
For most of her adult life she was a charter member of the Greater New Bedford Garden Club, adding botanical beauty to various historical sites and venues throughout the city.
In later years, she enjoyed traveling throughout many beautiful parts of Europe including Switzerland, Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice, Italy as well as various parts of our own country with her husband as well.
Jeanne was known to have a sparkling, engaging personality and style who enjoyed life thoroughly - whether sewing and cooking for her family, playing cards or Rummikub, traveling on day trips with friends, or simply engaging in good conversation with all who knew her.
Jeanne Bancroft was a cherished wife, a gentle, loving mother and grandmother, and a good, loyal friend to many who knew her. She will be greatly missed by all of her family, she has now left behind, and by all who were privileged to be called her friend.
May she rest now in peace for all eternity until we meet again.
Her Funeral will be held on Thursday, March 12th at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., NEW BEDFORD, followed by her Funeral Mass at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 10 AM. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, March 11th from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Southcoast Hospice, 200 Mill Rd., Fairhaven, MA 02719 or Holy Name Ladies Guild,121 Mount Pleasant St., New Bedford, MA 02740.