In Memory

Joan E Dohlen (Lancaster) - Class Of 1951

Joan E Dohlen (Lancaster)

Joan E. Lancaster, advocate of civics and housing for all

While launching a real estate career in Santa Barbara, Joan E. Lancaster was a busy mom who found time to volunteer regularly at Bluebirds, Boy Scouts and PTA events.

As her children grew and the family moved to Nevada County, she turned her energy and organizational skills to civic affairs. An outspoken woman, she frequently attended public meetings to advocate for community interests, including open government and affordable housing.

She was a founding member of the League of Women Voters of Western Nevada County, rising to a statewide position last year. In 1996, concerned about a growing lack of affordable housing, she helped start Nevada County Habitat for Humanity.

Family members, friends and colleagues recalled her many contributions as a mother, businesswoman and community leader. Mrs. Lancaster died January 31, 2006 in Nevada City after a yearlong battle with cancer. She was 71.

"She had her fingers in everything, and you could always depend on her to show up and put her two cents in," said Karen Chileski, a member with Mrs. Lancaster in Soroptimist International of Grass Valley. "She had a four-wheel drive vehicle so no matter what happened, nothing ever got in her way."

Born in 1934, Mrs. Lancaster grew up in South Pasadena. She married Robert Lancaster, a U.S. Forest Service superintendent, in 1960. He died in 2001.

A devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Lancaster also was an independent woman with a successful real estate business. Her children remember lively discussions at the dinner table between their loyal Republican mother and partisan Democratic father.

But she kept her political views out of her work with the nonpartisan League of Women Voters, which she joined in Southern California. When the family moved north, she helped start a Nevada County league in 1977 and served as its first president.

"We were always at league events when we were kids, and I have these pictures of us always wearing red, white and blue," her daughter, Heather Cowan, said. "When the grandkids came along, she started taking them."

The organization's goals of improving government and educating voters was a lifelong passion for Mrs. Lancaster. In Nevada County, she oversaw the group's candidate forums and voter registration drives, participated in the annual Constitution Day Parade and traveled to national conferences. In 2005, she was named to the league's state board.

"She was indispensable," said Mary Dreifuss, Nevada County league board member. "She could put on a different hat when needed and perform that job magnificently."

As a successful broker for Network Real Estate, Mrs. Lancaster saw firsthand how property values were rising out of reach for working families. She helped found Nevada County Habitat for Humanity and served on an advisory panel that studied affordable housing issues and made recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in 2000.

When she could steal time for herself, Mrs. Lancaster enjoyed traveling in a camper. After her husband died, she drove alone to sites along the California coast where they used to camp.

"She just packed up and took off and forgot to tell anyone," Cowan said. "She was always an independent and very strong person."

Sacramento Bee, February 15, 2006

 

Joan E. Lancaster

Born: April 13, 1934

Died: January 31, 2006

Remembered for: Longtime activist and leader in Nevada County business, community and civic groups; founding member, League of Women Voters of Western Nevada County; founding member, Nevada County Habitat for Humanity

Survived by: Daughters Heather Cowan of Rocklin and Alison Lancaster of Keller, Texas; son Roy Lancaster of Slidell, Louisiana.; sister Cheryl Howe (SPHS '64) of Azusa, California; and four grandchildren