Emily Mary (Fila) Bancroft
August 24, 1946 - October 9, 2024 (age 78)
With a heavy heart we announce the passing of Emily Bancroft. She passed peacefully at home on the morning of October 9th, 2024, after a long courageous battle with cancer. Born and raised in Hardwick, she graduated from Hardwick High School and attended the University of Massachusetts. She began a career as an art teacher in the Chicopee Public Schools, post-graduation, and later as a substitute teacher in the Hardwick and Ware Public Schools while her children were young.
She was a prolific writer and artist, a longtime member and Chairman of the Hardwick Historical Commission, enthusiastic volunteer at her beloved hometown Hardwick Fair, and lifetime member of the Hardwick Historical Society. Emily was a 4-H leader, an avid horse lover and rider, and an unofficial historian of the Town of Hardwick. Emily’s prize-winning artwork and quilts were often highlighted at local fairs and exhibits. She was also a faithful communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Emily authored “The History of Hardwick, Massachusetts, 1865-1950”, “Pony Pictures - Photographs of the 1900’s”, "Hidden Hardwick”, and “I Remember”, a documentation of stories from Hardwick’s elders. Along with her sister Elizabeth Cyran, Emily was instrumental in producing a video: “We Once Called this Home” about the Hardwick homes lost to the Quabbin Reservoir.
In Memoriam
The Trustees of the Hardwick Historical Society and its members will greatly miss Emily. She had exceptional knowledge of the history of Hardwick and a strong willingness to share that knowledge with others. She and her late husband, Russell Bancroft had been Trustees of the Hardwick Historical Society for over twenty-five years! Russell Bancroft had been our longtime Treasurer and Emily was our talented Curator. Their combined work was invaluable to Hardwick Historical Society in many ways. We are, indeed, indebted to them for their many insightful and unselfish contributions.