Laura Leigh Mason

Laura Leigh Mason was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, on July 24, 1961 to Robert Leigh and Nancy Lee (Hovey) Mason. As the oldest of three gifted daughters, Laura blazed the trail for her sisters, Fran and Dana. Growing up, Laura was the explorer, the adventurer and risk-taker; of course she always knew a better way to do something! As a child, her natural curiosity and appetite for learning was insatiable. Her father would often beckon her (night and day) by saying, “hey, your gonna wanna see this!" Laura adoringly followed his lead by asking endless questions about how and why the world worked. Attending Bedford Schools (Lambertville, MI) her eager learner’s needs were met by her playing the trumpet in various bands. However, after the school day, some of the best experiences happened with childhood friends. Especially at the ponds, the trails, orchard, eddy, playground, and throughout the neighborhood. She constantly pushed the limits and tried every possible activity, especially those she had been told not to! This was the way Laura pursued her whole life, with curiosity and fearlessness!

After moving several times around Michigan, the Mason family arrived in Denver in 1976. Every step along the way demonstrated Laura’s intention to adapt and grow – this is where she found affirmation and camaraderie through the pursuit of sports. At Columbine High School, she participated in volleyball, basketball, and track while continuing to excel academically. As she nurtured her love of sports, she enrolled at Hastings College (NE) with sports and academic scholarships. She excelled in track and field as a heptathlete. She successfully graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education. She would later earn her Masters of Physical Education from University of Northern Colorado.

With enthusiasm and a sense of duty, she pursued a career as a civilian employee with the U.S. Air Force and began her journey as a Youth Director serving at Lowry (CO), Lackland (TX) and Misawa (Japan) Air Force Bases for more than ten years. Not only did this pathway allow her to recognize her love of the younger generation, it afforded her the chance to remain involved with sports and co-mingled her energy with refereeing, coaching and mentoring. As Laura sought employment to continue serving students and our future generations, it led her to Pearsall, TX, as well as Mapleton and Englewood, CO public school districts. Each contract led not only to engaging students, but also having deep and lasting relationships with her colleagues. She often mentored new teachers and infused her teammates with ideas and strategies for student engagement.

Mason (or Laura) had a huge circle of friends and connections throughout her life. As the saying goes, she never met a stranger. Her demeanor was always to be in the midst of life with others, whether it was a party, a project, or a common pursuit. She shared her knowledge and unique wit, she brought laughter and light-heartedness to the gathering and she always, always had time for everyone. She loved playing and watching sports, she cultivated culinary delights as well as gardens and flower beds. She studied the many bees, birds and butterflies. She relished the chance to play in the fire pit and with the grill. She sought life with hours to share, not hours to kill. Her many pursuits included nurturing her creative side by painting, leather crafts and woodworking, building most anything, remodeling, designing, tinkering and dreaming. Once Laura joined Holly in retirement, they sold their home in Denver and headed out with their fifth wheeler for an adventure in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. They eventually decided that getting settled again was in the cards and headed to Ohio, to be closer to family and childhood friends, and of course making new friends too! She had no idea this would be the where the final chapter of her life was to be written.

Laura was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and although she endured rounds of treatment and surgery, she decided not to prolong the battle once the medical diagnosis confirmed the cancer had spread. She and Holly set about putting their shared affairs in order. The end of life journey has been sprinkled with moments of pain free time and final adventures to birdwatch and to curate her many treasures putting them into the hands of those who will appreciate, carry on the craft, and continue to give back to the community.

Mason appreciated the Asian culture and was impacted by her time in Misawa, Japan, where she experienced the Zen of the Japanese people and culture, finding wisdom in quotes like: “The quieter you become the more you are able to hear” and “Keep a green tree in your heart and a singing bird will come”.

Laura Leigh Mason passed from this world on May 11, 2025, in the arms of her loving wife of 26 years. Laura joins her father, Robert Leigh Mason, and leaves behind her wife (Debra) Holly Cook; her sisters: Frances Elizabeth and Dana Louise and her mother Nancy Lee (Hovey) Mason and her paternal aunt: Linda Francis (Mason) Carrier.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on June 28, 2025, at Gebhart-Schmidt-Parramore Funeral Home, Miamisburg, Ohio. To those who have shared their stories of Laura’s impact on their lives – we are thankful, as these will be shared in bits and pieces as part of Laura’s Legacy.

Laura's request that all guests come in colorful and comfortable and attire.

A party will be held with music and stories at Bennett’s Publical in Miamisburg following the service. Come ready to jump and shout and pay tribute to this amazing person who is always held in our hearts as a holler and a hoot!

In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a pollinator for the birds, bees, and butterflies in her memory.