In Memory of Betty Lancaster(1930 - 2017)
- Name
- Betty Lancaster
- Birth Date
- February 22, 1930
- Ascension Date
- July 25, 2017
Our beloved elder sister, Betty Lancaster, 87, ascended peacefully to the spirit world on Tuesday, July 25, in her residence in Las Vegas.
Betty is one of the early American members who joined True Parents in the 1960s. She is known for her deep love for True Parents and unwavering faith in Heavenly Parent. Where True Parents went, Betty went too, and was present to greet and attend them. Betty has been an inseparable part of our movement's history in America, with her faith, dedication, and work for the providence in so many capacities and initiatives. She will also be remembered and cherished for her motherly care and love for the many brothers and sisters, whom she took into her heart.
When True Mother heard of Betty's passing to the Spirit World, she gave Betty a special calligraphy for her ascension, with the message: Congratulations on entering the Heavenly Palace as a faithful daughter.
Betty is survived by her 3 children, 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and 2 sisters.
Let us pray and support Betty's family during this important time, and pray for her victorious transition to a glorious new life in the spiritual world, where True Father and many saints are waiting for her with open arms and hearts.
Following is a bio for Betty and information about her funeral service.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ki Hoon Kim
Continental Director
Rev. Richard Buessing
President
Betty Lancaster passed away peacefully at her residence in Las Vegas on July 25, 2017. Betty is one of the early American members, who has been dedicated to God and True Parents since joining the Unification Church in the 1960s in Arlington, VA.
Betty’s deep faith in God and True Parents never wavered. From the time when members lived with True Parents in the same house in a family setting, Betty’s love and real affection of True Father and Mother never changed. Where they went, so did she.
In the early days, while raising a family in Virginia, and despite personal difficulties, Betty was able to always be present where True Parents were, and they were always happy to see her.
Dr. Tyler Hendricks wrote, “This was in the 1960s, when that kind of commitment to the young, unknown Korean spiritual leader was very rare. For an American woman, of social standing and success in the Washington DC area, to receive True Parents to that degree, was surely a great encouragement to God and True Parents.”
Over the years, Betty served in many capacities and supported many initiatives. She worked in the Washington DC area and in the New York HQ. She assisted the coordination of the Korean Professors World Tour and Seminar and the Korean Clan conferences. She has led a 40-day workshop in Jardim Brazil. She has been a pillar in our American movement for so many years.
But more than her official working roles, Betty was known for her love of True Parents, and also for her love and care for many of her brothers and sisters, who came to her for emotional support, with their secrets and difficulties, and she would listen and offer endless comfort with a motherly heart.
Throughout her life of faith, Betty remained devoted to God, Jesus and her love for the Bible. Always finding time to read, study and pray. She often shared that her Christian background and love for Jesus helped her grasp the truth of the Divine Principle and she credited Jesus with leading her to True Parents.
Betty maintained her very elegant and dignified position. She never complained or criticized, but chose to see the good and bright of every situation, while encouraging her brothers and sisters, and her spiritual children to do the same.
In the words of Rev. Levi Dougherty, one of her spiritual children, “She was mother for the motherless, a shelter to members to share their secrets and cares. She would listen comfort, and take care of them.”
With her children, she shared a love of genealogy and family history, the joy of traveling, seeking new adventures and exploring other cultures; the importance of perseverance in completing a goal or finding a solution, and the need for a deep relationship with God.She is survived by her 3 children, 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and 2 sisters.
She is survived by her 3 children, 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and 2 sisters.
Services
Betty’y funeral service will be at Enders & Shirley Funeral Home in Berryville, VA, on Saturday, August 12 at 2:00 p.m. followed by interment in her family’s plot at Green Hill Cemetery.
Flowers may be sent to the funeral home.
Details about a Seonghwa memorial service in the Washington DC area will be available soon.
To support the funeral costs, please consider a donation through the following web page: In Loving Memory of Betty Lancaster
Bruce Smith
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My good sister, may the ancestors that you have represented here on earth welcome you with loving arms. Your spirit which was overflowing with love for all mankind will be your legacy forever. You inspired all that you met; may the wake of your love ripple to those who will miss you.
Peace and Love
Bruce, Keiko and William Smith
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Laura Taylor hayashi
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Thank you, Betty! It was so nice to know you, work together especially during the day of hope. I know you are doing well; we will keep the light lit here and look forward to when we meet again
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Julian Gray
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Dear Betty, I remember 20 years ago when you worked in the administrative office in New York for the American national messiahs. You were already into “retirement age” by then but you were not only willing to sacrifice for God’s providence, you were a great communicator, even with new-fangled tech like email! I hope you are not expecting a very long vacation in the spirit world before Father appoints you to some important task!
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Helen Downey
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Dear Betty,
Thank you so much for your years of mature support for God’s providence in the USA and beyond.
We met in Atlanta 1982 with Dr.Ahn and family. You made God happy continuously. So quick ascend in peace and tranquility!
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Sheila Song
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Dear Betty,
I will miss you very much! Thank you for your love to True Parents!
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Juan Morales
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Thank you Dear Elder Sister Betty, There’s nothing more greater, and Precious, then Loving, and being, A Faithful Daughter of a Filial pity, Eternally Thank you for Attending Our Heavenly Parents, And Our True Parents, You Love All of Us, with The Heat of the Mother, Thank you, Please Attend Our True Father in Heaven, Love, and Prayers from Camp Mozumdar, Juan Morales
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MARY ANN SCHAFFER-WIGTON
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Beloved Sister of Peace, Betty;
Thank you so much for your many years of service. You are so beautiful. Peace be with you.
Sis. Mary Ann
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Kerry Williams
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Dearest Betty,
I remember your beautiful spirit when I met you on IOWC in the 1980’s. I was comforted by your presence; your love for God and for brothers and sisters made everything brighter! Thank you for all you gave. May you serve our Father in heaven as you have on earth!
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Angelika Selle
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Dear Betty,
Thank you for having been a “mom” for so many, always loving, kind, positive and empowering. I feel you and your motherly heart will be felt by us from the spirit world, supporting our True Mother and inspiring Mother’s God’s spirit in both women and men for peace to become a reality soon.
Thank you for all you have done and given here on earth!
Be blessed and proud of who you are! We are ! And we love you!
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Marius Jean Henry
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Every spiritual sister is a elder of younger sister , but now Sister Betty is a Prodigal Parent in front of the ONENESS White Throne of God ,the second advent of the person of the Holy spirit is God D Day and Betty great greater JOY , the mighty wind of double Blessing over her biological family and double Blessing of HSA-HSA for UWC is at hand, in the Four hands Four Arms of A Glorious God , my God is IV Israel since 1/13/2001 , to God be the Glory ,there is a welcome to eternal Home and to the room prepared for Betty
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Galvan family
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Dearest friend and elder sister, Betty, I believe I first met you in our Washington Church in 1974. I was so moved by your testimony. I’m so grateful that you have been so faithful to God and True Parents all these years. Wishing you happiness and fulfillment in your eternal life, now, with God and True Father and Hyo Jin Nim, and all the True Family there. Our love and appreciation to you, ITN, your sister, Lorna Galvan, and your brother, Esteban Galvan 💞💫🌟
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CLEVELAND BENTIC SIMON
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Dear Betty, thank you for being such a beautiful, faithful and loving sisters of Our Heavenly Parent, True Parents and of Our Lord Jesus. I thank you on behalf of all Cameroonian members and Cameroon, for spending 40 days in our country when True Parents sent American members all over the world. I met you in New York and extended that same love to me and my husband Cleveland Simon. please have a beautiful transition to our eternal home in the embrace of our Loving HPs, TPs , Jesus and all brothers and sisters. Please pray for Cameroon which is going through political crisis at this time. Love you, Alice Simon & family
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Lorna Gadon-Todd
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My dear BETTY, I will miss your smile, advice, conversations and the love you gave me as a mother since you came to Las Vegas in 2009. I will forever treasure all those memories we had together. I love you and I thank you for giving me a chance to know you Betty…’til we meet again.
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