Lena Maud Banner

Lena Maud Banner (Housen), of Milford, MA, passed away on June 24, 2026, at the age of 89. Born December 1, 1936, in Golden Grove, St. Ann, Jamaica, she was the beloved daughter of the late Richard and Francella Housen (Garrick), Lena was one of 13 children.

After graduating high school, Lena worked for many years at the Jamaica Hilton Hotel. Lena immigrated to the United States in 1983 and went on to work as a salesclerk at Burlington Coat Factory Natick until her retirement at the age of 71. In every role she filled, Lena served others with steady dedication and a generous spirit that was felt by all who knew her.

Lena was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was the kind of mother who always put the needs of her daughters ahead of her own. Lena loved to talk to people and could strike up a conversation anywhere she went. She had a giving soul — so much so that her daughter Tricia nicknamed her "Santa Claus," because if anyone asked her for something, she would always find a way to give, even when she had little to give. And though generous to a fault, Lena also had the remarkable ability to save money; those who loved her would laughingly say she could save a dollar out of fifty cents.

Lena was a long-time member of The Greater Framingham Community Church, where her kind-hearted presence and cherished devotion were a quiet comfort within the life of the congregation. She was a devoted believer in the power of prayer and in the greatness of God, holding firm that everything could be made right through prayer. As her illness progressed, she looked forward each week to the online live streaming of GFCC’s Sunday morning service and Tuesday night prayer line, where she would faithfully pray for her family, friends, church members, and her beloved Reverend Llyod.

She is survived by her beloved daughters, Dawn Reid and Tricia Johnson; sons-in-law Reverend Wayne Reid and Rohan Johnson; grandchildren Kemorine and Maya Reid, Romaine, Shanakay, Sargeant. Rohan A, and Nathanael Johnson; great grandchildren Romar and Amara Johnson; sister Josephine Housen; many beloved nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A visitation will be held at Greater Framingham Community Church, 44 Franklin St, Framingham, on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 10AM. A funeral service will follow at 11AM at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Lena’s memory to The Greater Framingham Community Church, 44 Franklin St, Framingham, MA.