Virginia Honora (Zabava) Lancaster

Virginia Honora (Zabava) Lancaster, aged 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 17, 2024, in Great Falls, Montana. A memorial service will be held in Temple, Texas at a later date.

Virginia was born on February 21, 1932, to Thadeus and Victoria Zabava of New Waverly, Texas. She worked hard on the family farm picking cotton. When work was done, she enjoyed fishing with her brothers and sisters. She often shared stories, like the time her Aunt Rosalie and brother Steve saved her from drowning in the pond. This incident prompted her to learn to swim. One favorite was how she and her cousins would bend down a young pine tree while a sibling climbed on. The chosen victim would hold on for dear life as the tree was released. What a crazy ride they must have had.

Virginia married the love of her life, Felix Barton Lancaster, on June 24, 1956. Their marriage was full of love for each other and for fishing, dancing, and family. During their retirement years, they were members of the Blue Jay RV travel club in Temple Texas. Virginia enjoyed traveling the Texas highways with her many friends in the travel club.

Virginia was also an excellent cook and used her talent well while working for the Temple ISD as a school cafeteria cook. She also served many years at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church. You could often find her preparing snacks for the church bazaar or serving on the Alter Society.

She is survived by her brother, Anthony Zabava; sons, David Lancaster and Felix Allen Lancaster; daughters, Patricia White and Caroline Behr; 9 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great- grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Felix Barton Lancaster; brother, Felix Steve Zabava; sisters, Kristine Zabava, Sophie Zabava, Valerie Maneely, Clara Isbell, Margaret Toepfer, Dorothy Dames, Getrude Velasquez, Stella Bischel, and  Victoria Zabava; and parents, Thadeus and Victoria Zabava.

Virginia was a wonderful wife and mother. She will be greatly missed. In remembrance of Virginia, donations can be sent to Saint Mary’s Catholic Church of Temple Texas.