Emma Irene Tomayko Lancaster passed away on December 8, 2013 at Indiana Regional Medical Center after a short illness at the age of 82. Emma was born on October 7, 1931 in Perryopolis, Pennsylvania to Frank and Anna (Simko) Tomayko. She was united in marriage on May 3, 1952 to Glen A. Lancaster, Jr. and happily married for 42 years until Glen’s death.
Emma lived her life in community and her love made all our lives better. She grew up in Perryopolis where she was active in her high school band and St John’s Catholic Church. She and her husband built their family home in Sweeney Plan and lived there for 46 years. She was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Rostraver Township. She was one of the many Sweeney Plan Moms who directly and indirectly raised a generation of neighborhood children. In 1971 Glen and Emma joined the Peace Corps and with their two teenage children Donald and Doris and toddler David living for two years in Kingston, Jamaica (XII). The Lancaster Family befriended many young volunteers. Reunions with Peace Corps volunteers at Emma’s house, and now her son Donald’s home, have continued for 42 years. After her husband’s retirement, they traveled the US in their RV. Emma and her sister Roseann hosted Christmas Eve dinners in the Slovak custom of their parents creating a cherished family tradition. She had a deep connection with friends and family sending cards and letters, seldom missing a birthday or anniversary. Emma loved social gatherings playing card games, hosting cook-outs and knitting washcloths to give away. She found happiness and contentment living the last 6 years of her life in Clairvaux Commons in Indiana, PA managed by two exceptional women, Sister Ada and Sister Marilyn.
Mrs. Lancaster is survived by her brother Robert (Dorothy) Tomajko, Twinsburg, OH; sister Roseann Oldham, Perryopolis, PA; son Donald (Dr Faye Bradwick) Lancaster, Indiana, PA; daughter Dr Doris (Dr Kurt Peters) Lancaster, Colorado Springs, CO; son Dr David (Janna) Lancaster, Columbia, MO. She has six grandchildren and one great granddaughter; Dr Ian (Rachel) Peters and their daughter Keira Marie; Kyle (Amy) Peters; Jason Peters; Gillian Lancaster; Leo Lancaster; and Beatrice Lancaster.
Visitation will be held Friday morning December 13th from 9:30 until 10:30 AM at the St. Bernard of Clairvaux Roman Catholic Church, Indiana, PA, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated immediately following the visitation hour at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in the Belle Vernon Cemetery, Belle Vernon, PA. Service arrangements are with the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home, Inc. of Indiana.
Memorial donations may be made to the following: Sisters of St. Joseph, 1020 State St., Baden, PA 15005, or to the St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.

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