Margaret "Chirp" "Lanky" Ellen (Lancaster) Adams

Born on July 21, 1926 in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Predeceased by her husband, Leverett (Al) Adams, Jr., her parents, Noble and Mae Cullum Lancaster, and her siblings, Flora (Lyn) Lancaster Smith, and Richard Lancaster.  Loving mother of Marcia (Nicholas Adams-Aston) and Ted (Peggy). Devoted grandmother of Sarah Adams and Spencer Adams. She will be sadly missed by her nieces, nephews, friends and former Girl Scouts.

Chirp was a feisty tomboy who always wanted to learn new things.  Growing up, she and her brother Richard often teamed up to play tricks on their older sister. She attended school in Baxter Springs, then in Yates Center, Kansas; when the family moved there she was in 8th grade. (Her father was the Superintendent of schools in Yates Center). She loved reading and dancing. In high school Chirp was a good student and a good athlete (basketball, track - especially hurdles, swimming). 

Chirp attended Kansas State University and graduated as a medical technologist in 1948. While in college, she lived in a boarding house nearby and she was still in touch with her roommates Mickey and Neola into her 80s. During the summers between her years in college, she went to Rochester to live with her sister and work at Eastman Kodak Park. Another resident of the boarding house was Al Adams. Chirp and Al married in 1948 and moved to Rochester to live. Chirp worked as a medical technologist at Genesee Hospital 1948-1949 until their first child was born. 

Church was always a big part of Chirp’s life. In Rochester she attended Brick Presbyterian Church (now Downtown United Presbyterian Church) for many years. Lately she attended the United Methodist Church in Webster, where the people were very kind to her. She joined the church chapter at Central Presbyterian Church to help with their good works.  A lifelong volunteer, she volunteered as a Twig at the gift shop in Rochester General and was a Girl Scout leader for many years. 

Chirp returned to work in 1961 as a medical technologist and office manager for Dr. Herbert Molser on Rogers Parkway.  In 1966, she was hired as the office manager for dentist Dr. Bernard Tofany on Titus Avenue and worked there for many years.  She later worked for dentist Dr. Frank Sapere on Empire Blvd. 

Chirp enjoyed traveling, and she and Al visited New Orleans; New York City; Montreal; Vancouver, Canada; Banff, Canada; Scotland; England; Los Angeles; The Grand Tetons; Yellowstone National Park; Hong Kong; Switzerland; Bermuda; Nova Scotia; New Brunswick; cruised down the Rhine River in Germany; took the train across Canada; and most of the 50 states! She said the funniest thing that ever happened to her was tipping over her canoe in Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada and finding her passport, papers, camera, money and herself completely soaked! Thankfully, everything dried just fine.

Chirp was very artistic and could draw, paint, knit, crochet, sew beautiful clothing, do calligraphy, make stained glass and quilt.  She loved music, especially classical and Barbra Streisand.  On her and Al’s first date, they saw the film “A Song to Remember (the Life of Chopin).” She always had music playing in the house. She loved reading, especially historical novels and biographies. Chirp was a loyal and caring wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Her favorite color was blue, she loved balloons and asked that balloons be released at her wake. Being interviewed recently, Chirp offered one piece of advice: “Follow your Heart!”

The Adams family would like to thank the wonderful people at the Jewish Home of Rochester for taking such good care of her. The social workers, medical team, and entire staff were a pleasure to work with.

Per Margaret’s wishes there will be no formal service. Calling hours Thursday, April 20, from 4-7 at the Crawford Funeral Home, 495 Winton Rd. N. Donations in her name may be made to Lollipop Farm, 99 Victor Rd., Fairport 14450 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 10727, Rochester 14610.

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