SCOTTSVILLE, VA. — Helen Therese (Bancroft) Peluso, 75, of Scottsville, Va., died on Thursday evening, Oct. 27, 2011, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Va.

She was born on Feb. 20, 1936, in New York City, the daughter of the late Frank and Irene (Hannon) Bancroft. She grew up in the beach community of Far Rockaway. After high school, she worked as a bank teller until her marriage to Anthony Peluso in October 1960.

Anthony and Helen had two sons, Philip, born in 1962, and Michael, born in 1965. Shortly after Michael’s birth, the family moved to the Town of Sebago. After the boys entered middle school, Helen returned to the workforce, spending 20 years working in various positions at the Fairchild and National Semiconductor plants in South Portland.

Helen continued to live in Sebago after her retirement in 2001, but eventually tired of the winters and relocated to Scottsville, Va., to be near her son, Michael.

While in Scottsville, Helen lived at the School House Apartments. She became very active with both the Scottsville Senior Center and the Community Center, where she enjoyed the excursions and holiday activities while making many cherished friends.

Helen cared deeply for animals, helping for several years with local feral cat control programs, while raising her two rescued cats, Smokey and Sassy.

She was predeceased by her husband Anthony.

She is survived by her sons, Philip Peluso of Limerick and Michael Peluso of Willow Grove, N.C.; and her sister, Catherine Bancroft of Rockaway, N.Y.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, at St. George’s Catholic Church in Scottsville, Va. with the Rev. Dennis McAuliffe as the Celebrant. Interment of Helen’s ashes will be made at a later date next to her husband in Friendship Cemetery in Standish. A guestbook and obituary can be found online by visiting www.thackerbrothers.com

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that Helen’s friends please consider making a donation to their local animal shelter.