Catherine Mason

Born in 1924 in Bernalillo New Mexico to Lawrence Garrett Nobles and Altha Cordelia (Leeper) Nobles, Catherine was blessed to be part of an amazing family of 12 children. Raised in faith, nurtured in truth, and nourished by love and laughter; caring for each other was the Nobles way. While several siblings were serving in the US military to support the (WWII) war effort, an entrepreneurial spirit and the quest for a better life led Catherine’s remaining family on a journey from New Mexico to California, where they continued their practice of fixing up houses and starting businesses. Along the way, 16 year-old Catherine would see the ocean for the first time, and the entire family worked their way up the state harvesting fruit - making ends meet and making new friends. They would settle in Vallejo for their next chapter.

23 year-old Catherine was working as a bank bookkeeper when she met the love of her life through family connections. Vernon Mason (who could do anything he set his mind to) recently came to California after serving overseas in the US Navy, and was ready to start a family and live the American dream. In 1949 Catherine and Vernon were married and immediately, the third-generation carpenter built the house where they would live together for the rest of their lives, adding on to the house as the family grew. Throughout their 65 years at the ‘Garden of Eden’ they would have four children: Ken (1951), Barbara (1953), Terri (1961), and Joyce (1962), and eight grandchildren (neatly allotted to two per child), and three great-grandchildren.

Deeply devoted to her family, Catherine created a loving and happy home. She volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, school librarian, and kids’ scout troop supporter. Personal time was spent reading books and studying the Bible. All her family members and friends were deeply loved, and she made great effort to nurture those relationships.

Catherine (and many of her siblings) had an extraordinary mind. Her gift was memory for dates and events. She would instantly recall the dates of birth, marriage and passing of ALL family members (yes, those dozens and dozens of nieces and nephews, too). She was a living storyteller of family experiences. She revealed that her ‘method’ was keeping a file cabinet in her mind and every night before she went to sleep she would file away the important events of the day, stamped with the date and filed in order. Then she would close the cabinet and go to sleep.

A woman of great kindness and resilience, over the last few years of her life Catherine would suffer a major stroke that left her functionally blind, the passing of two of her children, major surgery to repair a broken hip from a fall, and the change of leaving her home to receive full-time care in assisted living. Throughout it all, she never complained or dwelled in any misery. Catherine would pass away peacefully in the loving presence of her two remaining children and her son-in-law.

Catherine is survived by her daughter, Terri Mason-Perino and son-in-law Joe Perino (of Gilroy, CA), daughter Joyce Shepherd and son-in-law Peter Shepherd (of Tracy, CA), eight grandchildren (Justin, Mitchell, Angela, Sarah, Rosemarie, Emily, Savannah, Sierra), and three great-grandchildren (Austin, McKayla, Kendra). Catherine was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Vernon, and her two children Ken Mason and Barbara Marshall.

Funeral service will be held at Lima Family Mortuary in Santa Clara on Friday, September 22nd at 11am.