Florence Victoria Mason

Florence Victoria Mason, 95, of West Terre Haute, passed away on Friday, August 15, 2014, at Bethesda Gardens in Terre Haute. She was born on November 3, 1918, in Newton, IL to Charles V. and Josephine (Lobimer) Dhom.

Florence moved to Terre Haute in 1936 to attend Brown’s Business College and later worked at Levin Brothers and Merchants Savings and Loan. She married Herbert A. Mason on June 30, 1943. In 1946, Florence and Herb bought “South Pit,” renaming it Southlake and built it into a family beach resort for swimming and boating. Southlake was a popular place during a time when home air conditioning was rare – it was open to the public for 40 years.

Florence was a member of St. Leonard’s Catholic Church and was active in West Vigo Band Boosters for many years. Florence loved flowers and birds – especially hummingbirds – and the outdoors in general. She was an avid Larry Bird fan, watching him play for ISU and the Celtics. Florence was a member of “The Greatest Generation” enduring The Great Depression and WWII. She really did walk 6 miles a day to and from a one room schoolhouse no matter what the weather. Growing up on a farm, she milked cows along with the other usual farm chores and loved riding the work horses bareback.

Florence is survived by three sons: Herbert L. Mason (wife Laura) of Terre Haute, John W. Mason of Clinton, and Steven A. Mason of Clay City; a daughter Jean M. (Mason) Cottrell (husband Norm) of Terre Haute; two brothers Lawrence Dhom of Woodstock, IL and Charles Dhom of Newton, IL; eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren; and beloved friend and longtime caregiver Anita Sue McMahan.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband Herb, a son Robert J. Mason (wife Nancy), a daughter Carol Ann (Mason) Scott (husband Terry); three sisters Chris Stewart, Sally Sherwood, Esther Kerner, and a brother Vince Dhom.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 on Tuesday, August 19 and from 11 to 1 on Wednesday, August 20 at Roselawn Funeral Home. Services will be held at 1 p.m., on Wednesday, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Alzheimer’s Association of Indiana, 50 E. 91st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Kind words and condolences may be expressed at www.roselawnfuneralhome.net