Gillian Lawford Mason

Gillian Lawford Mason, age 71 yrs, passed away on January 29th after a long battle with Stage 4 cancer. Gillian grew up in Harrow, England, and attended Kilburn Polytechnic. She came to the United States in 1968 and for several years was the personal assistant to H.M. Consul-General at the British Consulate General in Atlanta. During her time there she coordinated arrangements for the visit of H.R.H. Prince Charles to Atlanta in 1977, and at the conclusion of his visit the Prince presented her with a gift at the Governor’s Mansion for her good work. It was at the Consulate that she first met her future husband, another new immigrant (from Windsor, England) in 1970. They were married later that year.

Gillian was a most caring person, always wanting to help others, and she cared very deeply about the welfare of animals. As a past member of St Anne’s Episcopal Church she coordinated plans with a coalition of churches to build a Habitat for Humanity house in 1999, and worked on several other Habitat homes. She was an accomplished seamstress who enjoyed classical music and the English drama programs on PBS.

In 1998, Gillian was awarded a diploma for completing a program of theological education by extension—“Education for Ministry” administered by the School of Theology, University of the South.

After several years of working in executive support and administrative positions for key corporate executives, Gillian retired from Alston and Bird in early 2006 following the revelation of her illness, and decided to join “PINK at Piedmont”, a support program for cancer patients. She was part of the very first PINK program, and acted as a mentor in subsequent group sessions, providing encouragement to other participants in the program. Gillian stated that “PINK gave her a life worth living,” and she always remained positive and upbeat. Undoubtedly, PINK was instrumental, along with the wonderful care provided by her oncologist, Dr. Allen of The Piedmont Cancer Institute, in allowing her to enjoy a further nine years.

Gillian's concern and desire to help others less fortunate led her to become one of the founding members of a charity known as "Rising Star Outreach" dedicated to serving those afflicted by leprosy in India.

Gillian was always a willing volunteer. For many years, she acted as secretary at the city’s neighborhood planning unit meetings for Area C, and she was pleased to provide assistance to the Manager of Piedmont’s Health and Fitness Center with the registration and paperwork relating to PINK participants, as well as helping out on the front desk. Her wide circle of friends, including those at Piedmont, meant so much to her.

She is survived by her daughter Ashley and husband Colin.

The service will be held in the chapel at H. M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill, 1020 Spring Street, NW, Atlanta, at 2 o’clock on Friday, February 6, 2015. The family will receive friends for an hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Atlanta Humane Society.