Laura Andrea Lancaster

Monday, July 3rd, 1967 - Monday, August 7th, 2023

Laura Andrea Lancaster, 56, passed away due to complications from a heat stroke on August 7, 2023.

Born and raised in Austin, Laura attended Johnston High School, graduating in 1985. She studied at Southwest Texas State University, earning a BA in English and a BS in Social Work in 1992. After spending fifteen years as a social worker at Austin Retirement and Nursing Center, she returned to school to complete her paralegal certificate. Her work in family law led her to the Travis County District Clerk's Office, where she worked for over ten years. Never being one to sit still, Laura also worked seasonally at the Internal Revenue Service for over 20 years. She formed many lasting friendships with her coworkers at both the County Clerk's office and the IRS.

Laura was loving, creative, and selfless. She was always working on projects and crafts, for which she had endless inspiration and ideas. Whether working on a cross stitch, knitting a sweater, or a baby blanket, Laura was always finding time to create things for friends and family.

Her creative projects were often woven together with her incredible kindness. She loved sending handmade gifts and care packages. If someone was having a special occasion or simply could use some lifting up, they would often find themselves on the receiving end of one of her kind creations.

Laura was an expert baker, baking countless amazing cakes in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and themes. She was also famous for her cookies and cupcakes. Whether for Christmas or other occasions, she baked endless varieties of them. Artfully wrapped and creatively packaged, they were as beautiful as they were delicious.

More recently, Laura developed an interest in cooking. She enlisted the help of her dad, and together they sought out and tried lots of new recipes together. She kept a binder of the ones they liked the most, and she was always happy to share her favorites with friends and family.

When Laura wasn't creating, she was often reading. She loved both fiction and nonfiction and could easily finish a book in one evening. She enjoyed sharing book suggestions with friends and recently joined a book club.

The guiding force of Laura's life was her enduring love for her daughter, Denisa. Together they created lasting memories through their mutual love of Harry Potter, animals, crafting, and baking. The two of them also loved seeing Panic! At the Disco and Fall Out Boy in concert together, which they did as recently as this summer. Laura fully embraced and supported all of Denisa's interests while growing up, most especially dance and FFA. Over the years, Laura spent countless hours joyfully sewing costumes, building sets, nurturing plants, shearing sheep, and attending livestock shows and dance performances.

From road trips to campouts, Laura loved to travel. She and her family traveled to many state and national parks, and she collected walking stick badges from her favorite places along the way. Laura also loved Broadway performances, and she treasured the many trips she and her sister Lisa took to San Antonio to attend touring shows.

Laura is survived by her daughter Denisa Espinosa, father Ray Lancaster, sister Lisa Curry, brother-in-law Brian Curry, and nephews Joseph, Mark, and Jack Curry. She leaves behind her cousin ReLaine Reeves and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles who will hold her memory in their hearts. In her passing, she is reunited with her mother, Andrea Miles Lancaster.

Laura's legacy of love and selflessness touched everyone around her. While you did not have to know Laura well to benefit from her kindness, she exhibited extraordinary and unwavering love and devotion to those closest to her, particularly her daughter, Denisa.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 17, 2023 from 5:00PM - 8:00PM at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail. A Funeral service will be held on Friday, August 18, 2023, at 1:00 PM at Harrell Funeral Home following will be a reception. In keeping with Laura's joyful nature, the family requests that attendees wear bright colors, rather than black. Her memory will continue to shine brightly through those who remember and love her.

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