Florence Elaine Bancroft

She was born on April 18, 1930, in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Elza and Helen Fisher Niccum.

In 1937, she moved with her family to rural Malheur County, Oregon, where her father, a farmer and rancher born in Oklahoma, filed a homestead and built a house and outbuildings. Included in the family were her younger siblings, Marvin, Norris, Marie and Anita.

Her mother subsequently lived on that property for 59 years. Florence over time worked to ensure the farm stayed in her family, which it does to this day.

On July 2, 1950, she married Edwyn Alan Bancroft, Jr. in Nyssa, Oregon. They moved to Portland shortly thereafter.

Ed, whose career centered on accounting and finance, died in Portland on November 10, 2003.

After Florence received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Portland State University in 1969, she taught in the Portland public school system for nearly two decades.

Beyond the classroom, her public service included a variety of endeavors, such as president of the Portland Association of Teachers; director of the Oregon Education Association; program director and board member of the Portland Council of PTA; a member of the Multnomah Charter Review Committee appointed by the Oregon State Legislature; and numerous other action committees and initiatives.

Florence was a historian at heart, interested in learning and recording the history of both her family and the communities she was a part of. She was determined, resourceful, persistent, and mischievous enough to keep things interesting. She cared deeply for others and was a true social butterfly; organizing high school reunions, participating in monthly “Red Hat Ladies” luncheons, and spending as much time as she could with her family.

She is survived by her children, daughter, Carol (Steve) Hungerford; and her sons Stephen (Becky), Matthew and Mitchell. Florence is also survived by grandchildren Matt, Patty, Stacy, Amanda and Joel, numerous great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

Donations can be made to OREA Unit #1 Scholarship, 11502 SE Washington St, Portland, OR 97216.