Elenia (Portalatin) Lancaster

Elenia (Portalatin) Lancaster

October 29, 1938 – November 16, 2021

Elenia (Portalatin) Lancaster, 83, of Dunnellon FL, passed away on November 16, 2021 in Ocala FL.

Born October 29, 1938 in Utuado, Puerto Rico, Elenia moved to Madison TN in the late 1950s to pursue a nursing degree at Madison College. It was at Madison where she not only earned her degree but where she met her future husband John. They married in 1961 when she graduated as registered nurse and began her career at Madison Hospital. From there she spent 33 years at Hialeah Hospital in Florida where she assisted in delivering over a thousand babies. Everybody who knew her always requested that she be their nurse if they at that hospital. Her greatest moment was becoming a mother only to be enhanced by the moment she became a grandmother. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was loved and respected by all who knew her. She was an inspiration as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend and nurse. She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church in Gainesville for the last 15 years. Though she battled health issues for years, she pushed through and persevered to be there for her family and friends. We are forever grateful for all she has shown us and the grace in which she lived.

Elenia was proceeded in death by her husband of 58 years John Lancaster in 2019, father Antonio Portalatin, mother Maria Cruz and sister Delia Portalatin.

She is survived by her daughter Joyce (Lancaster) Petrosky of Tavares FL, daughter Joy Lancaster of Lombard IL, grandson Bryan Lopez of Tavares FL and granddaughter Victoria Petrosky of Tavares FL. In addition, she is survived by brothers Angel Portalatin, Dr. Ruben Portalatin and Rafael Portalatin and sisters Nidia (Portalatin) Black and Iris Belsie Portalatin. As well as survived by her dear 107-year-old aunt Isabel Cruz and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2-4 PM Friday, November 19, 2021, at Roberts Funeral Home, 19939 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Dunnellon, FL.