Winnifred Ruth Mason

Winnifred Ruth Brickley Mason was born on the Brickley family ranch in Ravalli County, Montana, December 18, 1931. She attended a one room log cabin schoolhouse in the hills of Montana until her family moved to Spokane in 1942 to help with the war effort. She continued to live in Spokane with her parents where she graduated from Lewis and Clark High School. She treasured reading and reciting poetry daily with her father which grew into a shared life-long passion.

Years later, Winnifred met Charles Mason at Spokane’s Davenport Hotel and they were married on August 5th, 1950. In the following years they were blessed with five children and lived primarily in Spokane, Washington. She was preceded in death by her children Lynette (9 months), Garth (22), Lisa (37), Stephen (65) and her husband Charles, the love of her life. Winnifred leaves behind one daughter, Terese Engstrom, and twelve grandchildren: Eric Mason, MaKayla Estoos, Lorilyn Evers, Sarah Luedtke, Jared Engstrom, Ben Engstrom, Brian Engstrom, Tiffany Robinaugh, Alex Engstrom, Trisha Divine, Robert Divine III and Mason Portrey. In addition, she is survived by twenty-nine great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

Winnifred loved to cook, decorate, sew and sing. Her eyes always lit up when she talked about the hills of Montana, which inspired many of her stories and songs up until the day she passed. Winnifred’s primary interest focused around Theatrical Arts. She wrote songs, plays, sewed costumes and gathered props for the various productions she was involved in. For fourteen years, she was the Cultural Arts Chairman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In addition to her many accomplishments and talents, Winnifred’s greatest quality is the way she loved all with a Christ-like love. She had a generous heart and open arms for those who were in the midst of trials. She encouraged all with her belief in them and hope for brighter days ahead. Winnifred will leave a legacy of faith, fervent prayer and a love for her Savior.

Winnifred spent her final years living with her daughter Terese (and husband Scott) Engstrom in Spokane, Washington. She passed away peacefully at home on March 26, 2021. A viewing will be held at the Ball & Dodd Funeral Home (5100 W. Wellesley Ave, Spokane) on Thursday, 4/1, from 6-8pm. Funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (401 W Regina Ave, Spokane) on Friday, 4/2 at 10am (with an additional viewing from 9-9:45am).