Lois Hinderlie Lamb

Lois Marjorie Hinderlie Lamb departed this world from the sunny confines of California on August 20th, 2023. She was 79. A New York City resident for most of her adult life, she chose to reside for her final years in Walnut Creek, CA to be close to her newest grandchild. She was preceded in death by her loving husband James Lamb. Lois is survived by her three sons Alexander "Sasha" (Teresa) of Austin, TX; Charles (Joanna) of Piedmont, CA; and Paul of New York, NY.

Born April 20th, 1944 in Seattle, WA to Mandrup 'Donald' Hinderlie and Helen Pederson, Lois was one of 5 siblings. Inquisitive by nature, she lived her life by the rule that "experience is everything." Whether it was by going against convention by attending Sarah Lawrence College in New York while being a pastor's daughter, or living in Mexico among indigenous families to practice photography, or even pursuing a dream of being a classical singer and joining a traveling choral group touring through the United States & Europe, Lois did it all with aplomb. A position as a social worker in the inner city of New York during the 1970's? Lois said "why not?" Ask for the solo part in a performance for the visit of Queen Elizabeth at Trinity Church in Manhattan and deliver it beautifully? Lois replied "yes, please!" She ended up working for the City of New York in a project management capacity at DCAS for over twenty years, where she held her own against many officials, both elected and dictatorial. Perhaps her favorite position in life was her last, as a grandmother to Henry, Walter, and Anthony.

Lois married her husband James Lamb in 1977 in a small ceremony in upper Manhattan and she loved to share that she cooked the reception food herself. She met James and bonded over their mutual love of music and especially Opera at the Met. Lois raised her children in the St. George neighborhood of Staten Island, NY where she made countless friends and became a part of the musical community there. There were few churches or synagogues in the borough that she did not sing at and would always be remembered by parishioners for her stunning voice which brightened most Sundays. Lois was a lover of all forms of art, be it a community classical performance, a trip to the Frick collection on the upper west side of Manhattan, a screening of French new wave cinema at the Film Forum, or watching a good Knicks game. She was especially fond of the music society she helped found and manage (and perform in), the Richmond Choral Society of Staten Island. Lois loved to garden and considered growing vegetables in her backyard a blissful endeavor.

Time spent with Lois always went too fast and she had the ability to make everyone feel special. She could always have the last word, but it would typically be a compliment. A woman small of stature, she will be remembered as a towering personality of generosity, warmth, intellect, and hilarious wit.

Visitation will be held in Glenside, Pennsylvania at Grace Lutheran Church, 801 E Willow Grove Ave., Saturday, September 16th starting at 10:30am. Funeral service will be at the church at 11am. Lois will be laid to rest beside her husband at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham, PA. In lieu of Flowers, Lois would have wanted a donation to be made in her memory to the Metropolitan Opera of New York at Metropolitan Opera or to Carnegie Hall.