Linda J. Lancaster

Linda J. (née Shulman) Lancaster, 72 of Newtown, PA passed away from cancer at home surrounded by her loving family on August 2, 2020. Beloved wife of Wayne Lancaster. Loving mother of Debra Lancaster (Derek Hartwick) and Beth Alon (Alfred). Nanny and Grandma to Noah, Benjamin, Ayla, Kai, and Lilliana. Dear sister of Rochelle Lubin (Arnie), Ann Harris (CA). She was preceded in death by her parents, Ida and William and her brother Leonard (Dorothy). Linda was raised in Linden, NJ where she graduated high school. She met Wayne on a blind date when she was a student at Trenton State College and while he was serving in the US Air Force and stationed at McGuire. They married for love that continued throughout their 51 years of marriage. She loved the life that they built together which included raising two daughters.  While the large majority of that time was spent raising them in Old Bridge, NJ, four of the earlier years were spent in North Dakota. One of many adventures Wayne and Linda would take together over the years--though North Dakota was perhaps the coldest.   She earned her degree at Rutgers University while taking care of her very young children, and spent the bulk of her career in product development with Church and Dwight in Princeton, NJ. Linda would say that her proudest and most meaningful accomplishment was her family. It was in her family that Linda invested a great deal of time and effort and love that only grew as her grandchildren were born.  She served as the chief safety officer of the family, making sure hands were clean and helmets were worn and chicken was served at a safe temperature.  Linda enjoyed food and cooking and was known for her matzah ball soup, but was pretty good at desserts, too. Debra and Beth's friends were always welcome and continued to be throughout Linda's life. Her hospitality was excellent. There was always enough food but no designer jeans or fancy roller skates. She had a creative spirit and sewing skills, and made Cabbage Patch dolls. She had her own way of keeping up with the trend.  Linda enjoyed playing Mahjong with her friends; traveling with her husband in their RV; and snowbirding in Florida where she met up with old and new friends and spent time with family who wanted to escape colder weather over the holidays.  There is no way to describe the love she had for her five grandchildren, and the love they each have for her. Wayne and her daughters and their husbands will miss her terribly. They each feel fortunate to have been loved and cared for by Linda who brought so much into their lives.  Due to safety concerns related to COVID-19, the services will be private. It is the family's hope that the world will be in a better place a year from now, and that they can gather safely with family and friends, and share food and memories, to honor Linda.   Linda requested that anyone wishing to honor her memory make a donation to feed or support those in need. Suggested organizations include: The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen www.trentonsoupkitchen.org or Jewish Family and Children Services at www.jfcsphilly.org. Life Celebration services entrusted to Swartz Givnish of Newtown, 215-968-3891.