Obituary of Bertha E. (Ross) Lancaster

Bertha E. (Ross) Lancaster, 94, of Salem, NH, wife of the late Lawrence D. Lancaster, died on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at the Salemhaven Center in Salem, NH with her family at her side. Mrs. Lancaster was born in Rangeley, Maine, on May 20, 1918, daughter of S. John and Onie B. (Giles) Ross. She was raised in Rangeley and graduated from Rangeley High School, and then attended college in Portland majoring in business. She was married and lived in the Saco, ME area before moving to Peabody 65 years ago. For the past eight years she has resided in New Hampshire. Bertha was a loving mother who dedicated her life to creating a home for her family. She did bookkeeping work for her husband who had gas filling stations in Lynn and Peabody. Later in life she was so proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren while following their progress. She was a member of the Second Congregational Church in Peabody, and as hobbies enjoyed sewing and gardening. She will be remembered for baking cookies, apple pies, brownies, and fig bars; mostly for her dedication to family and friends, and will be dearly missed. Mrs. Lancaster is survived by 2 daughters, Donna Trentini and her husband Ronald of Salem, NH, and Brenda Miller of Bartlett, NH; a daughter-in-law Robin Lancaster of Londonderry, NH; her seven grandchildren, Ronald Trentini of Wayland, MA, Melissa Gouthro of Salem, NH, Heather Gagne of Bedford, NH, Kim Shapiro of Litchfield, NH, Sondra Caddell of Canal Winchester, OH, Rhonda Miller of Peabody, and Joseph Lancaster of Fort Lauderdale, FL; 15 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son Lawrence D. Lancaster, Jr., and her siblings, Hilda Talbot and Nellie Koch. Her family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, March 25, 2013 from 11am to 12 pm at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. Her Celebration of Life Service will follow at 12 pm in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Bertha's name to the Shriners Burns Hospital, www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Main , 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02116. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for directions, online obituary and memorial guestbook.