Obituary of Constance G. Lancaster

Constance “Connie” G. (Garniss) Lancaster, age 91, passed away peacefully at Woburn Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  She was the loving wife of the late Harry Burnham Lancaster, Jr., with whom she had shared 66 wonderful years of marriage.

Connie was born in Lynn, MA. She was a beloved daughter of the late William and Beatrice (Johnston) Garniss.  Connie graduated from Saugus High School, and then went on to earn her degree from Briggs & Straton Commercial School.  Connie was childhood friends with Harry Lancaster.  A friendship evolved into a romance, and they were married in December of 1953, and settled down as newlyweds in Saugus.  After spending some time as a family of two, they finally decided to start to expand their family, having five children in five years.  In 1968 they moved their growing family to Lexington.  Connie was a woman who was well ahead of her times.  When most women were expected to give up their careers when they became mothers, Connie proved them wrong.  She successfully managed her career along with providing her children with a warm and loving home.  She burned the midnight oil at times but made it all look effortless.  She never missed her children’s sporting events, school events, and activities, always had a home cooked meal, and kept a spotless home.  She had started at Harvard University as a secretary and continually rose the ladder often only used by men.  She rose to an administrator position and the senior purchasing agent for Harvard’s Office of Environmental Biology.  She remained with Harvard for over 40 years and loved every moment of it until her retirement in 2000.

When the children were young, Connie and her husband Harry would take them camping as often as they could.  They all loved making memories together as the seven of them piled into their family station wagon, packed with gear, tents, and pets for their next adventure.  Connie also enjoyed going to the beach, and watching football in her free time.  She was a loyal Patriot’s fan and held season tickets for many years at Schaeffer and Sullivan Stadiums.  She supported and believed in them in their many not so great “rebuilding years”.  She and her husband Harry didn’t miss the opportunity to see their beloved Patriots play the Bears in Super Bowl 20 in New Orleans.  Her Patriots didn’t win that year, but it was a fun and memorable experience.   Her love for football didn’t end with the professionals though, she was a big fan of the Boston College Eagles and loved the “Doug Flutie” years.  Connie was an enormous supporter for her children and grandchildren’s sports games as well.  She had everyone’s schedules marked on her calendar and did her best to be at as many games as possible, even those 5 a.m. hockey games.  Above all else though, Connie loved her family.  She was a noble and kind woman who went to great lengths to show her children and grandchildren just how much they meant to her. Connie loved animals.  She always had one or two dogs whom she treated as part of the family. 

Surviving Connie are her five children, Harry Burnham Lancaster, III and his wife June of Westford, Victoria Gallup and her husband Barry of Wellesley, Cynthia Tobey and her late husband Thomas Tobey of Falmouth, Cheryl Murphy and her husband Raymond of Burlington, and Dwight Lancaster and his wife Mary of Somerville; her seven grandchildren, Barry Gallup, Jr., Raymond Murphy, Jr., Matthew Murphy, Mark Murphy, Paul Stites, Clinton Stites, and Sarah Whitcomb; her 16 great-grandchildren; her brother Donald Garniss of Saugus, as well as many other dear nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Connie was the grandmother of the late Darren Gallup, and Lisa Gallup.  She was also the beloved sister of the late Virginia Garniss, Phyllis Banks, and Ruth Jackson.

A Funeral Service for Connie will be held on Monday, August 5^th at Noon at the Hancock United Church of Christ, 1912 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington.  Memorials in Connie’s name may be made to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, www.mspca.org, 350 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130