Mildred A. Mason

Mildred Mason, 94, of Midland passed away Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, going peacefully in her sleep while surrounded by family and close friends at home. Born Mildred Withey in Prescott, Michigan on Jan. 29, 1917, she spent her life in Michigan, from working on the family farm with her siblings to being on the manufacturing line in Flint’s auto factories during World War II to having a family with her husband. On Feb. 13, 1944, she married Arnold Mason and then built their home in Skidway Lake, Michigan where they raised their three children, Douglas, Debra, and Dennis. Ever the strong and independent woman, after Arnold passed away in 1984, Mildred lived on her own in that same house for years where her children and their families visited regularly. She loved spending time with her loved ones, always welcoming her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in with a big smile and the promise of food. Always referring to herself in the third person as “Gramma,” many weekend mornings were spent with her grandkids cooking pancakes from scratch from her very own recipe. For the last five years of her life, she lived most of her time with her son, Douglas, in Midland, Michigan, and spent many winters with her daughter, Debra, in Florida. She loved recalling extraordinarily detailed stories about her life, which spanned nearly a century, and was even telling jokes up until her last day with us. She will be missed greatly by her surviving family: sisters, Edwina and Viola Hawley; sister-in-law, Twila May; son, Douglas Mason; daughter, Debra (Dale) Sova; seven grandchildren, Russell Mason, Ryan Mason, David Mason, Marissa Mason, Michael (Christina) Sova, Stephanie (Brian) Belanger, and Melissa Sova; two great-grandchildren, Jillian Sova and Patrick Belanger; and friend and caretaker, Linda L. Prince. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arnold, and her son, Dennis on Mar. 15, 1997.