Helen Lucille Lambert

After seeing in the New Year, Helen Lucille Lambert, 99, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 1, 2016. Lucille was born March 24, 1916, to Edward and Evelyn Mason, a farm family living just south of Princeton, MO. She graduated from Princeton high school and attended Northwest Missouri State Teacher’s College in Maryville, but left before graduating to marry her high school sweetheart, F. A. Lambert Jr, who had previously graduated from college and was being posted to Buenos Aires, Argentina as a financial officer by the General Electric corporations at one of their factories there.

She was a full time housewife and mother during the early years of her married life. During this period she lived in and made friends in Buenos Aires, Chicago, IL, plus Princeton, Maryville, Albany, and Columbia, MO. Two sons were born in Buenos Aires, Fred M. Lambert (spouse Karen) of Kansas City, and Robert E. Lambert of Bella Vista, Arkansas. A daughter was born in Princeton, Mary Holland (spouse Lou) of Glen Ellyn. Il. She was the type of mother that you couldn’t put anything over on, but she always forgave you for trying. One of her most appreciated motherly qualities was that she was a great cook.

In 1954, when the family moved to Columbia, MO, she returned to the University, and obtained a bachelor of education degree. For the next 32 years, she was an elementary school teacher, first in Columbia, MO at West Boulevard School, then in Kansas City at South City View and Red Bridge. She taught 4th - 6th grades. Lucille obtained a master’s degree in library sciences from UMKC in 1968, and when elementary schools made the change to having a library in each school, she set up all the elementary libraries in the Center school district. At first, she was the librarian at all Center Schools and later worked full time as the Red Bridge librarian. She was a founding member of the Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL), and of Missouri Town.

Lucille led an active life. She traveled in Europe, South America, and here at home. She was a volunteer at Kaleidoscope, belonged to PEO for 65 years, and did volunteer sewing weekly at the Country Club Christian church, where she and her best friend Mildred Schooling were early members of the sewing group. They also organized the sewing “Crismons” for the sanctuary Christmas tree. She attended church every Sunday, and for many years she was the librarian for the church. She had attended Christmas events at all three venues just the previous week.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents and former husband, and by two brothers and sisters-in-law, Logan and Twyla Mason and Robert and Lucille Mason, formerly of Chillicothe, Missouri. She is survived by her children, two grandchildren, Michael Holland (spouse Suzanne) of Geneva, Illinois, and Jeffrey Holland (spouse Melissa) of Chicago, Illinois, and two great grandchildren, Charlotte and Vivian Holland of Geneva. Also surviving are niece Deborah Mason of St. Joseph Missouri, and nephews Larry Mason (spouse Sally) of St. Louis, and Edward Mason (spouse Cathy) of Nevada, Missouri. Mildred Schooling’s daughter Linda Schooling Kekina, was also like part of her family.

Visitation will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 9, at Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri followed by funeral services at 11:00 the church, and burial at Mt. Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Center School District Educational Foundation, % Lucille Lambert Education Grant, 8701 Holmes, Kansas City, MO. 64131.

Not all great people are on TV or make headlines, some just go through life making everything better for all those around them. Lucille was one of those great people. She never had a bad word to say about anyone, but instead always said something positive to uplift them. She taught her children to love life, laugh at themselves, face adversity and to be good citizens. She kept her sense of humor until the end.