Margaret Jean Mason

Until the end, Margaret maintained her kindness, grace, compassion and love of family and friends, and expressed gratitude for her long life, full of wonderful and varied experiences.

Born in Houston, Texas on November 20, 1942, to Julius Paul and Mada Bates, Margaret was a proud lifelong Texan. Growing up in Galena Park, she was a graduate of the class of 1961 from Galena Park High School. With a passion for the medical profession, she began working at North Shore Hospital, and continued her education at San Jacinto College studying to become a medical librarian. It was during her time at San Jacinto College that she met her future husband, John.

After a whirlwind courtship, John proposed to Margaret at their favorite restaurant, El Toro in LaPorte over a basket of chips and salsa, and they were married in at the First Methodist Church in Navasota, Texas on July 9, 1966. They soon moved to Bryan, Texas where John continued his education at Texas A&M University, and she continued to work in the medical field. In 1969, John accepted a job as a Park Superintendent at Bentsen State Park, and with baby James in tow, they moved to the Rio Grande Valley. In 1972, they welcomed their second son, Tommy, and in 1974, the Masons returned to Baytown. Soon after their return, Margaret began work at the City of Baytown Health Department serving as secretary to the Director of Health, holding this position until her retirement in 1998.

Margaret was a talented lifelong seamstress, a member of the Red Hat Society, and enjoyed camping and hiking. Another passion was her love of travel. The family regularly enjoyed destinations like Petite Jean State Park or Hunt, Texas; while she and John often snuck off to New Orleans, Hawaii, St. Thomas, and Lake Louise, British Columbia.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Julius Paul and Mada Bates; son, Tommy Mason; in-laws John and Ann Mason; and sister-in-law Dottye Banta.

Margaret is survived by her devoted husband of more than 58 years, John Mason; son James and daughter-in-law, Claudia; granddaughters Stefani, and husband Rudy, and Wendy; daughter-in-law Tracey Mason; and grandsons Alexander Fox and Trevor Rexx. An only child, Margaret often joked that she married John just so she could have siblings, and is lovingly survived by brother-in-law Durwood Mason, and wife Pam; brother-in-law Larry Mason, and wife Sheila; sister-in-law Judy Phillips; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; as well as a host of friends, both lifelong and new.

The family wishes to thank the staff of St. James House in Baytown, as well as Traditions Health (hospice) for their dedication to caring for Margaret over the past three years. We invite all who knew her to join us in remembering a truly wonderful woman.

Visitation for Margaret will be held on Monday, July 29, 2024, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas 77023. A celebration of life will occur from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, with a committal immediately following from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm.