LINDA IRENE LANCASTER (ROBINSON) (PARKER)

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LINDA IRENE LANCASTER (ROBINSON) (nee PARKER) Passed away peacefully Monday, July 16, 2007 at home surrounded by loving family members. Born October 10, 1946 in Winnipeg to Doreen and Herb Parker. (Predeceased) Attended Britannia School, Deer Lodge Junior High and St. James Collegiate, graduating in 1964 and took her first job as a receptionist at the St. James law firm of Chapman, Chapman and Chapman. A job of which she was extremely proud and attributed her keen interest in the law, saying many times, she wished she had continued her education and become a lawyer. In 1965 adventure took over and she headed east to Montreal and resided there until she moved to Ottawa in 1970. While in Montreal her career in banking began, first with the Toronto Dominion Bank and then in Ottawa she started with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. A company she remained with until downsizing in 1995 put her into retirement. In 1974 she returned to Winnipeg with daughter Jennifer to make her home. Married to George in 1985 and helped with the everyday operations of his business, Gondola Pizza in St. Vital. After her retirement, with much time on her hands she turned to volunteer work with Old St. Vital BIZ eventually hiring on as Administrative Assistant. The children's programs were her passion and she worked tirelessly on the Bicycle Safety Days, Moon Light Swim Programs and other festivals and events for St. Vital. Through the Biz she was invited to participate in the Winnipeg in Bloom program in the summer as a judge and subsequently was honored with the Mayor's Award for Volunteer Appreciation in November 2000. Eventually the travel bug hit again and George and Linda were fortunate snowbirds traveling the United States for several years finally settling in Lakeland, Florida in a small modular home of their own. Here their interest in motorcycling took top billing and they became very involved with Gold Wing Road Riders Association. Linda always said she never dreamt her retirement years would be spent behind George on the back of a motorcycle touring the country, and no room for shopping. Back home in Winnipeg they were founding members of the GWRRA Chapter MB-A, District of Manitoba, Region K and were elected Chapter Directors in June of 2006. They were also founding members of the Touring Motorcycle Association. Linda was also a very proud 3rd generation member of the St. James Legion maintaining her membership for 33 years. Linda will always be loved and remembered by husband George; sister Donna and husband Don Olson, Clifford, ON, sister Shirley and husband Martin Allison, Brampton, ON; George's brother Howard Lancaster and wife Gail, Petersfield, MB; brother-in-law Carl Fedoruk (Butch). Linda will also be sadly missed by all their children and grandchildren, Richard and Elsa Lancaster, George and Susan Lancaster; their children George N., Clinton and Patrick, Robert and Tara Lancaster their children, Corey, Justin and Sean; Scott and Kristine Lancaster their children, Victoria, Vanessa and Jesse; Jennifer and Andy Thomas their children, Amber and Logan. Son Larry Lancaster pre-deceased Linda in 1989. Linda also enriched the lives of many nieces, nephews and their children. At home and through her travels Linda has made life long friends who she loved dearly. Special thanks to Harriet Yarmill and all the Palliative Care workers too numerous to mention. The family invites you to celebrate Linda's life at Wheeler Funeral Chapel, 211 Regent Avenue, West, Transcona. (224-1525) on Thursday, July 19th at 1:00 p.m. Private family internment to follow at a later date. No flowers please. Linda's favorite charities are The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, Rainbow Society, and Canadian Diabetes.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 17, 2007