Nancy Lee (Butler) Lancaster

Nancy Lee Lancaster (née Butler), 91, of Glen Ellyn passed away peacefully on December 20, 2020 at Beacon Hill in Lombard, Illinois. She was born on May 13, 1929 and lived most of her life as a resident of Glen Ellyn. A graduate of Glenbard West High School and Simpson College, Nancy married her high school sweetheart and best friend Jack Lancaster in September of 1951. Before becoming a mother, she was an elementary school teacher in Glen Ellyn.

As an only child, Nancy learned early on the value of friendship in her life. She was the friend you called when you needed someone to listen to you and provide comfort, encouragement, and strength. She always knew the right thing to say to make you feel loved.

When Nancy’s children were young, it was quite common for women of her era to stay at home with their children. Even by the standards of her generation, Nancy was an exceptional wife and mother. Always warm and kind, she was the mom her daughters aspired to be and the mom her son adored. All of her grandchildren have wonderful memories of time spent with her. They always left her home feeling dearly loved with a full stomach and yearning for their next visit.  

Nothing made Nancy happier than being a wife, mom, and grandma. Her favorite moments included preparing and hosting holiday meals for her family. Christmas morning was always a spectacular sight to see since her living room was completely full with presents and her mantel covered with a stocking for each person in her ever-growing family.

Nancy is survived by her three children, Jane (John Jr.) Sienkiewicz, Susan (Timothy) McKay, and John (Janet) Lancaster III; her loving sisters-in-law Lois Hoffman and Jeanne Edwards and brother-in-law Jim Higgins; 11 grandchildren, Amy (Michael) Trussell, Matthew (Lindsay) McKay, Charles (Rebecca) Given, Elizabeth (Jory) Freeburg, Joseph McKay, David Given, John (Ellie) McKay, Melissa Lancaster, Christine Lancaster, John Sienkiewicz III, and Kimberly Lancaster; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack Jr., her parents Charles and Dorothy Butler, his parents John and Marjorie Lancaster Sr., her sister-in-law Nancy Higgins, her brother-in-law Larry Hoffman, and her niece Marjorie Chrysler.

Her funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 9 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Petronille Catholic Church. All safety considerations associated with Covid-19 will be followed. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to her parish, St. Petronille, 420 Glenwood Ave, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137.

Mass will be livestreamed via St Petronille's Facebook page at https://www.stpetschurch.org/

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