BIDDEFORD — Nancy Eileen Purinton Bancroft, 65, of Biddeford died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 unexpectedly in her daughter’s home in Johns Creek, Georgia.

Nancy was born in Saco, Maine on Feb. 27, 1953, the daughter of Helene S. Purinton and Stanley R. Purinton. She was educated at South Portland High School where she played softball and graduated in 1971. She started her career working with the family doctor at the doctor’s office. Later she would attend SMTC nursing program and become an LPN, Licensed Practical Nurse. For 40 years, Nancy served others by caring for patients in several of Maine’s southern medical facilities such as Maine Medical Center in Portland, Pine Point Manor in Scarborough, Southridge and York Manor in Biddeford and the Medical Group in Kennebunk. Her most cherished memory and career highlight of eight years was her time at Maine Medical working in the labor and delivery ward bringing babies into the world! She had a big heart! Whether caring for others in a medical facility or in her own home, running to the need of a friend or family member to rescue and make safe, she devoted her life to being everyone’s hero. She was always by your side!

Nancy was a Maine native and loved everything Maine related from the seafood to the pristine waters. Nancy had a passion for water and spent most of her time swimming in the Saco River, Bay View Beach and Sebago Lake, etc., with family and friends. She loved to collect seashells and sea glass. A romantic, she loved art, poetry and music. She was very creative and loved to draw and paint. She loved Cuban food and culture. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, her two cats and family and friends. In her earlier years, she also designed cakes (birthdays and weddings) for a hobby.

Nancy is survived by her children, Benjamin R. Bancroft, Mercedes Garcia-Bancroft and her husband Ion Baker, Soleda Garcia-Bancroft and her husband Earl Payne and a goddaughter Santana Garcia-Ramirez; a brother, Thomas Purinton; sisters, Karen Jordan and Laura Libby; grandchildren, Benjamin Bancroft, Jr. and Brady Garcia-Payne; as well as several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents and her husband Santo Garcia-Valiente.

Visitation will  be held Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at  Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford, Maine 04005. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Spring burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Biddeford.

To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.