BRUNSWICK — Joyce A. “Jo” Bancroft, age 82, died Jan. 30, 2019, from progressive heart failure. She was born in Sherman, N.Y., May 20, 1936, the eldest child of Cleon Aldrich and Florence Harris Aldrich.

After graduating from Sherman High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY- Fredonia’s Music Department as a vocal major and teacher. There she met and married classmate Richard Bancroft in 1957. They were music educators and moved to follow his progressing career. She earned a master’s degree from Westminster College in Educational Administration and was a church choir director in Fredonia, NY, Sheboygan, WI, and New Castle, PA. She also was the music director for the Sawyer, ND public schools. She was an ardent League of Women Voters member; serving as President in Pennsylvania as well President of the Brunswick Chapter, and sat on the Maine State Board of Directors. She and her husband were longtime members of the Brunswick Unitarian-Universalist Church.

Changing careers, they relocated to Brunswick, Maine, in 1980, where they owned and operated The Pierce Photography Studio. Joyce was the photographic artist and her husband was the photographer. Together they built their dream home on family property in Harpswell in 1989. After retirement in 1998, she and her husband, Richard “Dick” Bancroft, enjoyed summers in Maine, as well as winters in Florida.

She put her many talents as artist, musician, seamstress, and gardener aside when they interfered with her foremost belief that family always came first. She lived her entire life to overcome any obstacles to love and understanding.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Dr. B. Richard Bancroft of Harpswell, ME, daughter Shawn George and husband Vincent George of Harpswell, son Matthew Bancroft of Brunswick, ME, brother David Aldrich of Hudson, FL, sister Barbara Robbins of Palm Bay, FL, and five grandchildren. There will be a Celebration of Life Service in the spring for all her friends and family. Memories and condolences can be expressed at brackettfuneralhome.com.