Ruth Naomi Lancaster

Ruth Naomi (Frankenberry) Lancaster, 92, passed away at Peace Healthcare in Frostburg, MD on March 22, 2023 after a courageous battle with dementia.

            Ruth was the wife of the late John “Link” W. Lancaster, who preceded her in death in 2012.  They were married for 57 years, and Ruth anxiously awaited the day they would be reunited.

            Born at home in Mount Savage, MD, Ruth was the daughter of the late Cyrus Edwin Frankenberry and Eula Virginia (Jones) Frankenberry. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Carl Frankenberry, George Frankenberry, and Robert “Bobby” Frankenberry; and two sisters, Virginia “Ginny” (Frankenberry) Crump and Emma Jean (Frankenberry) Malloy.

            Ruth was a graduate of the Beall High School class of 1948. She worked at telephone companies in New Jersey and Cumberland before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Ruth volunteered her time at Mount Savage School in the health room and classrooms of her daughters and grandchildren. She was a life-long member of the Mount Savage United Methodist Church where she was the treasurer, taught Sunday school, and belonged to the women's group. She enjoyed making chocolate chip cookies for her family and cutting grass.  She loved walking with Link on the Great Allegheny Passage trail and talking to everyone she met.  Ruth never met a stranger.

            Ruth is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Windemuth and husband Louis of Cumberland and Anna Lancaster and partner Bill Mickey of Mount Savage and five grandchildren: Molly Albright and partner Dan’l Biggs, Amy Albright and husband Neil Alexander, P.J. Boch, Andrew Boch and girlfriend Bethany McGann, and Rachel Beal and husband Zane. Ruth is also survived by her great-grandchildren Abby and Jacob Moore. She leaves behind loving nieces and nephews and many church friends who were always there for her when she needed them.

The family would like to thank The Kensington Assisted Living and Peace Healthcare Nursing Home for the compassionate care they gave to Ruth in her final, toughest months.

            A memorial service will be held on April 22, 2023 at the Sowers Funeral Home at 11:00 am with Pastors Sandy and Harry Burchell presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Ruth wished for her body to be donated for science research, as did her husband.

            In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Ruth’s memory may do so by making contributions to  St. Judes Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at https://www.stjude.org/give.html, or to the Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Maryland Chapter, 1850 York Road, Suite D, Timonium, MD 21093 or online at https://www.alz.org/maryland?form=alz_donate.