Carole Lancaster

Carole Therese Lancaster, 89, of Largo passed away May 12, 2024, Mother’s Day, at Arden Courts ALF in Seminole. Born and raised in Cleveland Ohio, she graduated from St Vincent Charity Hospital Nursing School in 1954. She was preceded in death by her parents Edwin and Lillian Hendrickson, her brother, Edwin Jr., her husband, Robert, her daughter-in-law, Nancy, and her grandson, Bradley Gay. Carole is survived by her sister, Diane, her six children (Bob, Mary, Peter, Tom, Paul and John), her 24 grandchildren and 25 great- grandchildren. For most of her adult life, Carole was a parishioner of St Jude’s Cathedral in St Petersburg FL. All her children attended the parish school and Carole was active in the Women’s Guild. When her children were all in school, Carole worked alongside her husband in his medical practice, putting her nursing skills to use. She and Robert loved to travel. When her family was young, they went on summer camping trips to various parts of the US. Additionally, they frequently visited their native Cleveland, Ohio to see relatives. When their children were older, they took the entire family to Europe several times. It wasn’t easy traveling with 6 children, but Carole was always up to the challenge! Later on, her selfless disposition was most evident when she was called on to help her sons, Tom and Paul, take care of their children. She didn’t hesitate to rise to the occasion. She cooked, cleaned and shuttled her grandchildren to school. It was difficult, but her love made it work! In her senior years, Carole attended daily Mass, enjoyed bargain hunting and going to lunch. Daughter-in-law, Flannery, often joined her and probably has many stories to tell! Finally, after Carole was diagnosed with dementia, her oldest grandchild, Chris, his wife, Katie, and great-granddaughter, Ciara, moved into Carole’s house to help care for her. It was difficult but the 4 ultimately formed a close bond. With “Grandma” on her deathbed, Ciara, only 7, asked to sit alone with her and say a rosary. Carole died soon thereafter. She will be missed by all. A Funeral Mass will be held at St Jerome’s Catholic Church in Largo, Florida at 11 am, Saturday, May 18. A luncheon will be immediately following in the Parkview Room, Seminole City Park, 7464 Ridge Rd Seminole, FL 33772. Burial and graveside ceremony will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery at 1 pm on Monday, May 20th.