Catherine A. Mason's Obituary
Methuen – Catherine A. (Hawley) Mason, 101 of Methuen, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2020 at Methuen Village.
Catherine was born in Somerville, MA on February 10, 1919. Despite being the youngest of three children born to her parents, John and Alice, Catherine found that the role of caregiver came very naturally to her from an early age. This is a quality that has flourished in her various roles throughout life and is what makes her such a valuable member of her community.
The granddaughter of Irish immigrants who settled in Boston, Catherine grew up in Cambridge with her sister, Dorothy, and her brother, John. She would eventually establish Somerville as her home with her husband, Vernon. As Vernon served in World War II, Catherine too found herself wanting to give back. Working for several years in Boston at a children’s agency, she found it was a natural part of who she was to provide for those in need. Catherine and Vernon created a loving home for their children, Kenneth, Gail, Gertrude, Rosemary, and Kathleen in Wilmington.
As a stay-at-home mom, Catherine’s passion and love for helping others blossomed. After several moves throughout her life with her family, Catherine settled in a condominium in Lowell, where it did not take her long to make friends. She took many of the women under her wings; bringing them food shopping, to appointments, and even getting them out for exercise was a weekly routine. Catherine also mentored a young student from Iran.
When Catherine wasn’t opening up her heart to those around her, she found joy in keeping her hands busy through knitting, needlepoint, caring for animals, and gardening. At Methuen Village, she continued her passion for crafting, spending time with her adorable cat, Anastasia, and bringing cheer to others with her beautifully kind spirit.
Catherine will be deeply missed by her 3 children, Kenneth Mason and his wife, Virginia, of Londonderry, NH, Rosemary Deane of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Gail Bedrosian and her husband, Dennis of Newburyport, MA; 7 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; her brother-in-law, Jack King; 2 sons-in-law, John Robertson and Carlton Deane; and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her 2 daughters, Kathleen Mason and Gertrude Robertson.
Family and friends will honor and celebrate Catherine’s life by gathering for her Funeral Mass at 11 AM on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at St. Monica’s Church, 212 Lawrence Street, Methuen. Burial will follow at Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Catherine's name to Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, 10 Reed Street, Haverhill, MA 01832. For directions or to send an online condolence, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Mason family.
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