Helen Lancaster

The long and productive life of Helen Lancaster ended peacefully in her sleep early morning on February 22, 2023. Helen Landolt was born October 15, 1928 in Silsbee, Texas to parents, Charles Edward Landolt and Helen Roensch Landolt. Educated in Silsbee public schools, Helen graduated from high school in 1945 and continued her education at Austin College where she graduated in 1948 with BS.
Helen and John William Lancaster (Jack) were married on August 25, 1948. While Jack was in seminary at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, Helen taught school. When they returned to Texas, they served churches in Bay City (First Presbyterian) and in Austin (The First Southern Presbyterian Church, later renamed Central Presbyterian). While in Austin, they were chosen as representatives of the Presbyterian Church U.S. at the meeting of World Alliance of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in Paris and Geneva. The next 29 years (1961-1990) of their church-serving careers were spent at First Presbyterian Church in Houston where Dr. Jack was the head minister. Helen was extremely active in all of the churches she and Jack served, enjoying Bible studies, circles, social events, and all other church-related events. In a sense, Helen was the last of a breed of ministers' wives who made a career of that position. She often pondered writing her biography and entitling it: Jack in the Pulpit, Helen in the Pew. While Jack served as interim pastor in Austin, Texas; Raleigh, North Carolina; Columbus, Georgia and Nashville, Tennessee, Helen also served and supported those churches.
In retirement, Helen and Jack enjoyed half of the year in their Montreat, North Carolina home and half in their Houston home. Montreat was a special place for them beginning with their honeymoon trip, continuing over the years while participating in conferences there, and finally enjoying summers and half of the year in the Montreat house. There were many happy family gatherings, reading and morning coffee on the back porch, and rocking on the front porch listening to Flat Creek. Helen spent the last several years in the supportive community of Bayou Manor in Houston where with her quick wit and curious mind, she enjoyed new friends, many conversations, and active reading life, and regular bridge games.
Helen was predeceased by Jack and two daughters, Elizabeth Lancaster and Christiana "T" Lancaster Reese, as well as her niece, Nancy Landolt and brother, Pete Landolt. She is survived by two daughters, Lynne Lancaster Quinn (Jimmy); daughter Lee Lancaster; as well as four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: William Wood Quinn (Amy); John Lancaster Quinn (Stacie); Davis Lancaster Reese (Amy) and Ana Graham Reese; John David Harrison and Jackson Lancaster Quinn; Carson Alexander Quinn and Grace Elizabeth Quinn and AnaBeth Helen Reese.
Her daughter expresses sincere appreciation for the staff and physicians at Bayou Manor, the competent and loving care of Evelyn Budu, the compassionate and able help of Kathleen Kuznicki, the capable and tender care of Peace Okocha and Tiffany Tyler, and the support of the astonishing residents at Bayou Manor. The last few years of Helen's life were touched by many extraordinary people.
Please join us to remember and celebrate her life. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 5308 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, Texas 77005, www.sahouston.com on Saturday, March 25 at 10:00 am. Bill Heston, D.Min. (retired from First Presbyterian Church, Houston) and Rev. Jeff Smith (St. Andrew's) will be officiating; John Yarrington (Director Emeritas, First Presbyterian Church, Houston) will be leading the music. Following the memorial, a brief reception will take place at the church.
Memorials sent to: The Outreach Foundation, www.theoutreachfoundation.org; Giffords Law Center, www.giffords.org; St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, www.sahouston.com or a charity of your choice.