Marianne Margaret Bancroft

Marianne Margaret Bancroft, of Pacifica CA, passed away on Sunday June 10th in Oakland, CA, of natural causes.

Born on April 20, 1931 in Altadena, CA to Ewing Ransom Forman and Mary Virginia Forman (née Marshall), Marianne grew up and attended elementary school in Lancaster, CA. After graduating Antelope Valley High School in 1948, Marianne attended Antelope Valley College and graduated in 1950 with an Associate of Arts in Business.

Upon graduation, Marianne trained in Los Angeles to become an Optometric Assistant for McQuarrie Optometry. She then utilized her client skills and innate fashion sense to work for the beloved local designer boutique, Smart Shoppe, where she styled and custom fitted ladies for any occasion. Among her many talents, Marianne was an Interior Designer for the Galleria Designer Home Furnishings in Lancaster. She spent 20 years working with North American on the XB-70 Program which then became Rockwell International where she worked on the B-1 and the NASA space shuttle programs in their public relations department. A highlight of her aerospace career was hosting international dignitaries for the space shuttle landings at Edwards Airforce Base. Her work as a model for Southern California clothing shops, newspapers, and magazines flourished throughout five decades.

While in Lancaster, Marianne was a vibrant pillar of the community and was involved in many charitable and social events. She was an officer and active in the Emblem Club for over 30 years and a leader with the Women’s Division of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. She served as President of the Assistance League’s Model Auxiliary, benefitting children of widowed parents and broken homes. She oversaw the Antelope Valley Indian Maiden Division for the YMCA and was a volunteer for the March of Dimes. Marianne was also a Charter Member of the Hi Desert Hostesses which supported the Alpha Charter Guild, New Car Dealers Association, Chambers of Commerce, Antelope Valley Press, and Lancaster Beautiful. Marianne was equally proud of her time on the Antelope Valley Fair Board as chair for the Miss Antelope Valley Queen Contest and Coronation ceremonies… she was lovingly referred to, by all participants, as their “Queen Mother”.

Marianne was celebrated as an exemplary wife, mother, and community member, when the Bragg family was named Family of the Year by the Antelope Valley Press in 1968. Then, in 1971, her generosity, style and graciousness were recognized when she was named Woman of the Year by the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce.

Upon retiring in 1987 and relocating to Pacifica, Ca, her love of hospitality and style never wavered as she cherished, with personal pride, every sunset by hosting family and friends for end-of-day cocktails on her panoramic deck. She supported local charitable organizations in Pacifica, Carmel, and the Greater Bay Area, as well as worked as a freelance interior designer. She spent more time enjoying her hobbies of global travel, sewing, landscape gardening, and seizing any opportunity to host or support her family and friends.

Her hospitality gifts were legendary as was her generous, thoughtful and joyful spirit - from the magnificent homemade pies and perfectly wrapped gifts, to readily lending an ear for matters-of-the-heart, what-to-wear, and how she could help. She infused love and attention to detail into everything she did and she was easily everyone’s favorite guest at the party. Marianne was preceded in death by her parents, sister and brother-in-law Carol & Clark Lane, husbands Robert Bancroft and Kermit Bragg, and grandson Jason Neal Fulton.

She is survived by her brother John Forman (Linda) of Redding, CA; children, Karen Fulton Holine (Rich) of Oakland, CA, Denise Lile (Paul) of Boise, ID, and Brian Bragg (Grace), of San Diego, CA; grandchildren, Ursula Damani, Hunter, Graciella, Cristiana, and Francesca Bragg; nieces, Terri Sanne and Kris Holland; and nephews, Rob Forman, Stacy Forman, and Kevin Lane.

Although gone, she will be forever remembered as an elegant hostess and a devoted friend with a generous spirit and a timeless sense of style.

A heartfelt thanks to her angels on earth at the Mercy Retirement Center.

A celebration of life will take place on Friday, June 22nd at 2pm at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611, followed by a reception at 4pm at Highlands Country Club, 110 Hiller Drive, Oakland, CA 94618. Remembrances can be made in her memory to honor her grandson Jason Neal Fulton at the National Aids Memorial Grove, Hemophilia Memorial- https:// www.aidsmemorial.org/ donate-now/ Ken was born in San Diego. He joined the Navy at 17 and served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He served on several ships including the USS Oak Hill, USS Gardners Bay, USS Shangri-La, and the USS Enterprise. He retired after 20 years as a Senior Chief. After the Navy, he worked at Macys and retired in San Bruno. He loved playing Bocce Ball