Eileen (Blanchard) Bancroft, 88, passed away on Thursday, January 26 at St. Luke's Hospital. She was the wife of the late Thomas S. Bancroft, with whom she shared 64 years of marriage.

Born in New Bedford, a daughter of the late William and Phoebe (Wilkinson) Blanchard she resided in Dartmouth for the past 56 years.

Eileen graduated from New Bedford High School in 1946. She became a wife and mother, worked as the secretary for the Town of Dartmouth Park Board, and later worked as a legal secretary until her retirement. Her greatest joys were sailing with her husband, family gatherings, and her Tuesday ladies card group. She was also a member of the St. Julie Billiart Ladies Guild.

Survivors include her three children: Stephen P. Bancroft and his wife Carol of Preston, CT, Kathleen A. Bancroft of Dartmouth, and Christine M. Gruner and her husband Oliver of Franklin, MA; her eight grandchildren: Thomas and Shannon Bancroft, Elizabeth Wainio, Lisa Lolly, Megan Vidinha, Tricia Lemieux, and Lucas and Lyndon Gruner; nine great-grandchildren: Cameron, Cody, Sheridan, and Collin Bancroft, Remington Lolly, Phoebe, Evelyn, and Finlay Wainio, and Isla Rose Vidinha; along with many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sister Thelma P. Bowen of S. Dartmouth.

Her funeral will be held at 9 a.m. on February 2 at the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Road, Dartmouth. A funeral mass will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, Dartmouth.

Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, 4-8 p.m. Burial in South Dartmouth Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her honor may be made payable to Fairhaven Community Nurse and Hospice Care, 62 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719.

For tributes/directions: www.waring-sullivan.com.