Hanover, N.H. —
Polly was born on March 22, 1932 to Richard H. & Pauline S. Bancroft in St Paul, Minn., where she attended Summit School. She spent two years at Connecticut College and in 1954 graduated from the University of Minnesota. While attending Connecticut College, she met Charles “Chuck” M. Hebble, Jr. and they were married on Sept 2, 1954. During their first year of marriage, they lived in La Jolla, Calif. while Chuck served in the Navy and later returned to St. Paul where they resided for 14 years. While raising her four children, Polly was an active member of The Junior League of St. Paul and often volunteered for the Children’s Hospital Association. They attended the House of Hope Presbyterian Church, the same church where they were married.
In 1970, Chuck’s career brought the family to Hanover. There Polly briefly worked for the Dartmouth College athletic ticket office and volunteered at the Pink Smock gift shop at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital. She also served on the hospital auxiliary board, including a term as president. She and Chuck were active members of the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College.
Prior to moving to Kendal at Hanover, Polly and Chuck divided their time between Ticklenaked Pond in Ryegate, Vt. and Palm Island, Fla., both places where Polly could share her love of nature and spend time with her children and grandchildren. Family was of the upmost importance to Polly. She was devoted to her ten grandchildren and delighted in exploring the seashore and hiking around the pond, always teaching and sharing her appreciation of the outdoors. Polly was an avid birder (and a rare bird herself!). Many hours were spent playing croquet, Uno, and doing jigsaw puzzles with her family and friends. She loved antiquing, sudokus, and reading. Polly enjoyed a special relationship with each grandchild and they all have no doubt their “Gagi” loved them the best.
Polly enjoyed years of playing tennis and annually hosted her tennis friends, “the Hanover Ladies,” at Palm Island for tennis, sun and fun. Polly and Chuck were active travelers, whether it was driving to visit their children and grandchildren (as they hated to miss any activity, game or recital) or exploring the world together. They enjoyed skiing, sailing, summers at Hiawatha, and jaunts world-wide. A highlight for Polly was their trip to the Galapagos Islands so she could see a Blue Footed Booby in person. Their doors were never closed to friends or family as they welcomed company wherever they were, and they never travelled without making a new friend or two (or ten!).
Bible study was important to Polly throughout her life. Her faith was ever present and helped sustain both her and her family and friends. Many thanks to all, especially the caring staff at Kendal at Hanover, who made her journey so peaceful.
Polly is survived by Chuck, her husband of 62 years; and four children: Mary Ryder and husband, David of Rosemont, Penn., Charles III and his wife, Lou Ann of Mount Pleasant, S.C., John and his wife, Julie of Sudbury, Mass. and Thomas and his wife, Kelly of Naples, Fla.; also, her 10 grandchildren: Jesse Ryder, Nicholas Ryder (and wife, Christina), and Samuel Ryder; Caitlin Hebble Crocket (and husband, David) and Sara Hebble; Thomas Hebble (and wife, Rachel), Patrick Hebble and Emily Hebble; and Taylor Hebble and Paige Hebble. She also leaves her three siblings: Richard “Dick” Bancroft, Jr. (and wife, Deborah), Elizabeth Cammack, and Mary Field (and husband, Chuck); as well as her sister in-law, Joan “PeeWee” Haydock; and many loved nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Polly’s memory can made to Gesu School, 1700 W. Thompson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121 or at https://www.gesuschool.org/make_a_donation.
A memorial service will be held at the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College in Hanover, on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m.
To view an online memorial and or send a message of condolence to the family, please visit www.randwilson.com.
Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover is charge of arrangements.