Dolores E. Galen

Dolores “Dee Dee” Ellen Grimes Lancaster Galen was born on February 18, 1944, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In her own words, she was “just a small-town girl” from West Alexander, Pennsylvania, a quaint but mighty town south of Pittsburgh, less than a mile from the West Virginia border.

Dee Dee spent her childhood exploring the countryside from Washington and Claysville, Pennsylvania, to Wheeling, West Virginia, and counting down the days until the annual West Alexander Fair with her two sisters, Lynda and Connie. Her professional drive, gift for sales, and strong work ethic were shaped by the countless hours she spent at her dad’s garage, nestled between her home and the town’s fire department. Grimes Garage served as both the social and economic heartbeat of West Alexander for decades. She was close to her mother, Dee, and was most grateful to call Ed Grimes her “Dad.” She graduated from McGuffey High School in 1962, then left small-town life behind and made the journey southeast to Washington, DC. One thing is for certain: no matter where her travels would take her, her love of all things Pittsburgh, especially the Steelers, would follow.

It was in Washington, DC, where she met her first husband, Don Lancaster Jr., a Navy serviceman “born and raised in South Detroit.” Together, they traveled extensively, with two extended tours in Japan and time in Alaska, California, and Maryland. Along the way, they had three children: Donald, Stacy, and Kevin, and eventually settled in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, where she worked as a Real Estate agent at REMAX, O’Connor, Piper & Flynn, and others for more than 20 years.

Several years later, Dee Dee met and married her second husband, Henry Galen, an Airman who retired from the National Security Agency. They were married in 1994, traveled extensively across the country, and eventually settled in Spring Hill, Florida, where she resided for the remainder of her life.

She was further blessed with 5 grandchildren: Bradley Robinson, Adam Lancaster, Nickolas Lancaster, Cameron Lancaster, and Abigail Lancaster, and 3 great-grandchildren: Remington Robinson, Ripken Robinson, and Reagan Robinson.

She passed away on March 22, 2026, in Spring Hill, Florida, beginning her next journey. Dee is survived by her Husband, Henry Galen, 2 sisters: Lynda Danna and Connie Wright, 3 children: Donald Lancaster III, Stacy Slaubaugh, and Kevin Lancaster, 5 grandchildren: Bradley Robinson, Adam Lancaster, Nickolas Lancaster, Cameron Lancaster, and Abigail Lancaster, and 3 great-grandchildren: Remington Robinson, Ripken Robinson, and Reagan Robinson.

Rather than writing an extensive obituary, it is better to hear about her life in her own words, followed by the last poem she wrote before she passed.

Please enjoy, and take a moment to thank your mother, living or deceased, for giving you the gift of life.

Thank you, and we love you, Mom!

Love,

Donald, Stacy, and Kevin

From Dee Dee

My life has been adventurous, joyful, lonely at times, and the ups and downs of normal living. God has seen me through the trials & tribulations and awaiting the day we met in Heaven along with Mom, Dad & loved ones.

My family includes my Dear Husband Henry (Larry), Donald Robert Lancaster III (son), Stacy Renee Slaughte (daughter), and Kevin Edwin Lancaster (son). All children reside in Maryland.

Also my dear grandchildren: Bradley Robinson, Adam Lancaster, Nickolas Lancaster, Cameron Lancaster, Abigail Lancaster, and 3 great grandchildren: Remington Robinson, Ripken Robinson, and Reagan Robinson.

I leave behind my 2 beautiful sisters, Lynda Carol Danna & Constance Rae Wright.

I so love all my family. and I will forever be watching over you.

All of you, please be wise, healthy, and peaceful (wear your seat belts and don’t tailgate) 😊

My life also allowed me the opportunity to live 9 years in Japan, Alaska, California, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Florida. I worked for the government overseas during Vietnam, sad times. Also, a successful Realtor for 20+ years in Maryland.

My favorite thing included writing short poems to ones I loved! This is the last poem I’ll write in this life:

The story is long, as I’ve lived a full life.

From daughter, sister & also a wife! (2 times)

But the joy of this journey are my 3 children’s birth,

No greater love will you feel on this earth.

Oh, the earth holds treasures from beyond our beliefs,

From Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and the Bering Sea—or what lies beneath.

So, you all, travel and see the great sites,

From the desert sands to Tokyo’s great lights.

Even though I’m not here to tell you to slow down,

I’m hoping you’ll have fun and paint the town.

Each day is a gift—don’t let it slip away—

I’ll be waiting to see you in a time far away.

So here is my last hug until we meet one day again —

Now on your computer I just pushed SEND!

Forever love,

Mom “Dee Dee”