Doris Louise Mason died peacefully at home in Gilroy Sept. 4,
2004.
Doris Louise Mason died peacefully at home in Gilroy Sept. 4, 2004.
Dorie was born on our nation’s birthday, July 4, 1936 in Hood River, Oregon. As a child, she thought the whole country was taking notice of her on that special day, so her family has always paid special attention to it. This year, after two months, the house is still decorated for her birthday.
Her father and mother were Allen C. Abbott and Dorothy J. (Collins) Abbott of Portland, Oregon. In Michigan, she is survived by her son Dr. Brian A. Mason; her granddaughter Cristin E. Mason and grandson Brendan A. Mason.
Her daughter, Pamela C. Runyan lives in Ben Lomond; and Dorie’s husband William B, Mason lives in Gilroy.
Also left behind are her granddaughter Patricia J. Runyan and great-granddaughter Catherine Diana L. Charcho, both of Arcata, CA.
Dorie grew up among giant Douglas firs on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon where she played, went to school and turned into a lovely, successful young woman. She graduated from Lewis and Clark College in 1958 with a degree in nursing, that same year marrying William B. Mason of Tacoma, Washington. Practicing nursing for a while, she gave it up to devote herself to raising her children.
She came to Gilroy in 1962 to be with her husband, who had become a teacher there. Always busy doing things for and with her family, she still managed to be a second mother to a generation of Gilroy boys and girls through her leadership in Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. When her own children left home, she resumed nursing, specializing in caring for patients who knew they did not have long to live, giving them and their families great comfort.
After retirement in 1993, she became the Bike Lady of Gilroy, flying about town on her single speed, balloon tired beauty to grocery shop and make an eight mile round trip to Gavilan College frequently, where she would swim a mile. Kickboxing and dance aerobics also became passions with her seven days a week, but most of all she enjoyed the lovely ladies she met at her athletic club, who stood by her so lovingly during her illness. Another of her retirement pleasures was her book discussion group at the library. She knew the children of her friends as well as she knew the parents and attended the young people’s ball games and school plays, thus winning their hearts.
We will miss your sunny smile, Dorie, but know you are in good hands now. Cancer has taken a dear heart from us.
By her choice there will be no memorial service. Her ashes will be scattered.
