Marilyn J. Bancroft

HOLDEN - Marilyn Bancroft, 93, of Holden, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025. Born at home in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, to Carl and Dorothy Gunnard, she was the eldest of three children. Marilyn was the steadfast matriarch of her family – first as a wife, then as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Marilyn was a devoted wife of 62 years to her eternal dance partner, Raymond (“Ray”). Together, they created a home and a family in West Boylston, Massachusetts, where they resided for over 50 years. A graduate of Holden High School, Marilyn built a career – and a lifelong love of medicine – as a medical assistant and receptionist for local family doctors Dr. James Blodgett and Dr. Michael Theerman. Always the best dressed at any occasion, Marilyn combined her love of simple, timeless fashion with her design skills, creating prom dresses and wedding gowns, Halloween costumes, and curtains and quilts for her daughters and granddaughters. Marilyn was a superb hostess, gathering her family and friends for countless celebrations at her home, always filled with wonderful food, lots of laughter, and lively discussion of current events.

Marilyn was a member of the First Congregational Church in West Boylston. She was an active member and leader of the Outdoor Sports Club, participating in bowling and golf, along with monthly luncheons.

Marilyn leaves behind four children: Cynthia A. Goodhile of Holden; Susan L. Grignon and her husband Thomas of Canton, GA; James R. Bancroft and his wife Linda of Berlin, MA and Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and Diane L. Lee and her husband Daniel, of Holden. She also leaves six grandchildren – Danielle Pape and her husband Michael, James Grignon and his wife Leah, Nicole Cogswell and her husband John, Chelsea Masotta and her husband TJ, Alexis Czyzewski and her husband Paul, and Lauren Domurat and her husband Joey – and twelve great-grandchildren – Conor, Adriana, and Lilia Pape; Margot and Hank Grignon; Jaxson, Kieran, and Beckham Cogswell; Rae and Mae Masotta; and Dylan and Logan Czyzewski. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Cutroni, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Ray; her brother, Carl Gunnard; and a son-in-law, Arnold Goodhile. Friends and family are invited to gather for Marilyn’s graveside service on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in West Boylston. Following the interment, all are welcome to join in a celebration of Marilyn’s life.

Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the Beaman Endowment, supporting the Beaman Memorial Public Library in West Boylston, either online or by check, payable to the Friends of the Beaman Endowment and mailed to 8 Newton Street, West Boylston, MA, 01583.