Lilliam Lancaster

Lilliam "Lily" Calderon De Lancaster, fondly known as "Mama," passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 1, 2025, at 78. Her legacy of love, strength, and resilience lives on.

Lily was born to Adela Castillo and Raul Calderon on October 24, 1946, in San Jose, Costa Rica. As a young woman, Lily's ambition took her to the United States in the late 1970s, where she would build a life full of adventure, hard work, and deep love for her family.

In January 1980, Lily married William "Bill" F. Lancaster Jr. and started their family together. In the early 1980s, they became parents. As a mother, Lily was a steadfast provider, showing her children what it meant to work hard and face life with positivity.

Lily's professional journey was as varied and dynamic as her personal life. She started working in specialized labs in Costa Rica before transitioning in 1990 to a career in airline catering in the United States. She found joy in the travel that came with her job, and her passion for exploring new places was one of her defining qualities. Her career allowed her to share the world with her loved ones and instilled in her children a love for new experiences.

Outside of her professional life, Lily had a knack for sales; whether at a garage sale or a swap meet, she was excellent at math and could haggle with the best of them, always finding a way to make a deal. Lily's true calling was in her ability to make people feel loved and cherished. Whether cooking a meal for her family, telling a joke, or offering a listening ear, Lily exuded warmth, humor, and care. She worked tirelessly to support her family, taking on multiple jobs and long hours without complaint, always ensuring her loved ones were cared for.

Lily's home was a place where no one would ever go hungry. No matter the time of day, if you entered her home, she would greet you with a warm smile, ask, "are you hungry?" and then set to work preparing something delicious. Whether it was a simple meal or a grand feast, Lily's cooking was always made with love and always shared with joy. Her home was a haven for her children, family, and friends, a place where all were welcomed and loved.

As a mother, Lily was a lioness—strong, protective, and fiercely loving. She taught her children the importance of hard work, kindness, and always looking for the positive in any situation. She instilled in them a deep love for nature and animals, and they spent many happy days as children at the beach, collecting seashells and playing in the water. Her children, Leslie and Samson and later their spouses, Sean Kibler and Heather Olsen-Lancaster, were her pride and joy.

Lily's love for animals was just as boundless. Throughout her life, she had a variety of pets - from dogs to cats to birds - and she shared that love with her children, teaching them to respect and care for all living creatures.

Though Lily's physical presence is no longer with us, her spirit lives on in the love she gave and the lessons she taught. She was more than just a mother—she was a protector, a teacher, a friend, and a confidante. She was "Mama" to all who knew her, a title she wore with pride, and she gave freely of herself to everyone she met. Her strength, playful wit, and unwavering support will continue to guide her children and those who love her.

Lily is survived by her two children, Leslie Lancaster Kibler and Samson Lancaster, along with their spouses, Sean Kibler and Heather Olsen-Lancaster. She is also survived by her two sisters, Damaris and Rosibel Calderon, and her two dogs, Brownie and Oreo. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill Lancaster Jr.

Lily's legacy of love, strength, and kindness will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew her. She was and will always be "Mama."