Born on July 16, 1924 in New York City, NY, Albertine was the daughter of the late Agatha Estridge Thomas and Alfred Thomas of St. Kitts, West Indies.
Albertine was a devout Catholic. She was baptized and grew up as a member of the St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church in New York City. At the time of her death she was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church in Lexington Park, MD.
Albertine was educated in the public schools of New York City. After graduating from high school, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College. Tina?s graduate studies include a Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University School of Social Work, and certification in the field of mental health from Fordham?s Post Graduate Center for Mental Health.
Albertine?s career as a clinical psychiatric social worker in New York City includes her work at the Foundling Hospital, Children?s Aid Society, and Child Welfare Agency. She served as Adjunct Professor of Social Work at American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts, and the Bronx Community College in the Bronx, New York.
After her marriage to John G. Lancaster in 1971, Albertine moved to St. Mary?s County, Maryland and worked for 16 years at the Department of Social Services as a supervisor for child welfare, including foster care and adoptions. ?Tina? was an active member of the National Association of Social Workers, and the Academy of Certified Social Workers. She was instrumental in helping to organize the first Child Welfare Day in St. Mary?s County. Albertine?s professionalism and leadership in the field of social work was acclaimed at the local, state and national levels. She encouraged all with whom she worked to expand their horizons, and thus made accessible to the citizens of St. Mary?s County an improved social work organization.
After retirement from the Department of Social Services, she was appointed by governor Harry Hughes as Southern Maryland?s first African American woman representative to the Maryland State Board of Education, where she served the maximum 10 year period.
In addition to her professional career, she was active and took leadership roles in a variety of community and civic organizations. Albertine was a life time member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. She was founder, charter member and a past president of the Southern Maryland Chain Chapter, The Links, Inc. which will celebrate 25 years of service to the community this year. She served as president of the Loretta House Board of Directors, which established the first group home for boys in the county; she was past president of the Margaret Brent Business and Professional Women?s Club, past president of the St. Mary?s County Board of Library Trustees and a member of the Three Oakes Board of Directors. Tina was active in the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters, the Democratic Club, the NAACP, the Delicados, and the organizer and past president of the Merry Wives Club. Tina was a recipient of varied community honors and awards.
Tina was a loving and supportive wife and mother. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, John G. Lancaster of California, MD, former St. Mary?s County Commissioner, her son, John G. Lancaster, Jr. of San Francisco, CA, her daughter, Shirley Elaine Gholston of Greenbelt, MD, grandson, Bruce J. Lancaster LaShawn, great-grandson, Miles Lancaster, godson, Gerald Grayson and a host of relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her two sisters, Lydia E. Thomas and Evelyn T. McBean, niece, Thea McBean Custis, and nephew, Vaughn J. McBean. ?Tina? as she was affectionately called was the youngest child and the last member of her immediate family line.
The family will receive friends on Friday, April 27, 2007 from 6- 9:00 p.m. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Lexington Park, MD. Prayers will be recited at 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in the church. Father Jack Kennealy will be the celebrant.
In New York, the viewing and family visitation will be on Monday, April 30, 2007 in Benta?s Funeral Home, 630 St. Nicholas Avenue, New York. Interment will be on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 in St. Raymond?s Cemetery, Bronx, NY.
Expressions of remembrance may be made through donations to the Southern Maryland Chain Chapter, The Links, Inc. for the Albertine T. Lancaster Memorial Scholarship c/o Eva Chesley Financial Secretary, 4360 Livingston Road, Indianhead, MD 20640.
Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
