Obituary of Carol Mason

Carol Elizabeth Mason passed away on May 2nd 2023 at the age of 82, peacefully with
family by her side after struggling with Dementia/Alzheimer’s for a number of years. She is
predeceased by her husband Hector Mason (2018). Carol leaves behind her son David (Sharon) and daughter Kelly (Jan) as well as her grandchildren Matt and Kristen and step-grandchildren Greg (Lauren) and Alex (Linzi) as well as three great grandchildren. She was born in Sarnia Ontario on May 5th, 1940. Carol was the fourth of five children born to Stanley and Jean (Wilson) Timpson. She is also predeceased by all of her siblings: Betty Anne Bennett (Bill), Dr Ronald Timpson (Ruth), Nancy Timpson and Paul Timpson (Kathy), as well as her closest cousin Sharon Hambleton (Len). Carol grew up in Sarnia, attending Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technological Institute. She attended Paterson Memorial Church and learned to play the piano. In 1960 she graduated from the London Teacher’s College with qualifications in Primary, Junior and Intermediate. She married her high school sweetheart, Hector Mason, on August 6,1960 and they settled in Point Edward. Hector’s work took them to Oshawa a few years later where Carol taught in Whitby at Palmerston Elementary School. In 1966, David Mason was born, soon followed by Kelly Mason in 1970. After several years of raising her family, Carol returned to teaching - working as supply at first. This provided the priceless opportunity for her to spend a day as David’s teacher, much to his distress. She later taught part-time at Queen Elizabeth Elementary in Oshawa teaching grade one. Carol’s lifetime passion was fashion and style. This gave her the unique opportunity to step back from teaching and work in the fashion and aesthetics world at a local ladies’ boutique and day spa. This position led to all members of her family - David, Kelly and Hector - being lovingly subjected to having their “Colours”done. Turns out the whole family are in the “Spring” category. After a few years of clothing and aesthetics, Carol returned to her calling as an elementary school teacher. This time she took on the position of kindergarten teacher at the Campbell Children’s school - the educational partner of Grandview Children’s Treatment Centre in Oshawa. This position was life altering for Carol because this is where she met some of her closest friends for life while having the privilege of teaching and caring for each of the special children who graced her classroom. Carol stayed in this position until retirement followed by a few more years returning as a supply teacher. Carol loved animals all of her life, but she especially adored cats. Carol was the proud cat mom to many lucky felines over the years who benefited from her lavish spoiling. She was particularly fond of cats with smooshed in faces such as her beloved Himalayans and Persians. Anyone meeting Carol would soon realize her love of cats from her discrete clothing accessories, such as cat scarves and pins, to her personal licence plate of “Cats8” - the “8” was there simply because the MTO had already issued Cats 1 -7 and Hector panicked when placing the order. She shared her home to the end with her most recent feline companion Sassy - who has since moved in with Kelly insisting that she be kept in the same high standard Carol had set. Carol had many other active areas of her adult life in Oshawa that included playing cards with neighbourhood ladies and actively being a member of her sorority Beta Sigma Phi for over 50 years. Carol and Hector lived the majority of their married life on Dundee Ave where they developed many close friendships with neighbours - building countless memories of all the kids growing up together, neighbourhood parties and gatherings. Unfortunately, over the last few years, Carol developed dementia that created a new set of challenges, but she never lost her love of fun and vitality. Carol had a unique set of super powers that she loved to exercise often. Her first power was shopping. She approached shopping expeditions with strategic precision through which she managed to amass a personal collection that left many others longing just to thumb through her closet. Next was Carol’s legendary ability to eat. She enjoyed all aspects of food - from specialty food shops to restaurants of all shapes, sizes, and levels. This was a pleasure she enjoyed most with family and friends. Carol and her son David spent many hours browsing grocery stores, always looking for the next new and exciting snack item. In her later years, her scheduling of lunch dates with friends would be her greatest love. But Carol also had a subtle wild side. In 1976 she bought her first new car: a muscle car - a silver Pontiac Firebird Formula with red interior. At 81 she discovered her love of ATV trail riding. She would ride shotgun with her daughter in a side x side, insisting on riding the bumpy trails making up her own song about jiggling as they rode along.

There are so many more fascinating stories of Carol’s antics and life, so friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of Carol’s life at DeStefano Funeral Home 1289 Keith Ross Blvd, Oshawa, on Thursday, May 11th 2023. Visitation will begin at 12:00pm with a service immediately following at 2:30pm and a reception on site. The family would request that anyone wishing to make a donation, to please select either the Grandview Children’s Foundation or the Alzheimer Society in Carol’s name.