Obituary: Pearlestine Lancaster, 84, of New London

Information via Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Homes

Pearlestine Lancaster, age 84, of New London passed away on Tuesday morning, March 21, 2017 at New London Rehabilitation and Care.

She was born in Ridge Springs, South Carolina on August 15, 1932 to Mac and Clara Norris Williams. Pearl met and married her college sweetheart, Spencer C. Lancaster, at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. They married on September 3, 1952 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

For 22 years Pearl worked as a CNA at both Greentree Manor and Nutmeg Pavilion. She was a faithful member of Walls Clarke AME Zion Church, where she sang in the senior choir and was a member of the Women’s Home and Overseas Mission Society.

Besides her husband, she is survived by two sons, Spencer Lancaster, Jr of Norwich, and Robert Lancaster (Helen) of New London; her daughters, Gilda Butler of Groton, Margaret Lancaster of New London, and Tricia (Gerald) Lee of Windsor, CT, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Eleanor Cunningham and Delores Simmons. She was predeceased by her daughter Pamela Lancaster Pettinari and nine siblings.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 30 at 11 o’clock at Walls Clarke AME Zion Church, 16 Belden St. New London. Interment will take place at Jordan Cemetery, Boston Post Rd., Waterford. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, March 29 from 5 until 7 at the Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St. New London.

The family would like to thank the loving staff of New London Rehabilitation and Care for their exceptional care and support throughout the past 6 years. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be directed to the Pamela Lancaster Pettinari Scholarship Fund, c/o the Williams School, Mohegan Ave, New London, CT 06320.