Augusta – Irene K. Lancaster, 87, a resident of Richmond and former resident of Mount Vernon, died Saturday afternoon at Glenridge Nursing Home in Augusta where she had been a patient for the past six months.

She was born the 10th child of 11 children on Sept. 19, 1920, in City Island Bronx, N.Y., the daughter of John and Catherine (O’Gorman) Knapp. She attended school in New York City. On April 30, 1940, she married Leo E. Lancaster. He passed away on Jan. 31, 1991. She worked as a shoe cutter, baker and a server at University of Maine in Farmington, along with raising her own children and grandchildren. She was “Gram” or “Mom” to many to know her was to love her. She will be deeply missed. She liked going to all the activities of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by four daughters, Patricia Hennessy and her husband, Bruce, of Livemore Falls, Catherine Seely and her husband, Carl, of Limerick, Marie Hale and husband, Bill, of Norridgewock and Michele Lancaster and her companion, Travis Witham, of Richmond; two sons, Stephen Lancaster and his wife, Julie, of Farmington and Dana Lancaster and his wife, Peggy, of Mount Vernon; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Blanche Crudden of Auburn.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband Leo, of 50 years; four brothers; five sisters; one grandson, Raymond Hennessy; and one great-great-grandson, Dillan Shink.