Kathleen J. Mason

Kate was born Marjorie Cunie on January 26, 1947 in the Bronx, NY. She was adopted on Valentine’s Day of that same year by Betty and Francis Jones from CT and was given the name Kathleen Mary Jones. Kate was brought up in West Hartford, CT and attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy, where she began her introduction to living a spiritual life in the religious profession. In 1965 Kate became a novice at the Ursuline novitiate in Blue Point, NY where she became Sister Kathleen Mary. Her temporary vows were taken in 1968. Kate completed her convent education at St. John’s University where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in education. In 1971 Kate had a desire to further her education. She then left the convent to seek a path in education by obtaining her Master’s and 6th-year degrees at SCSU. Then began her lifelong career as a school psychologist in Wallingford, CT, retiring in 2012.

Later in life, Kate liked to repeat that she met two Richards along the way and married them both; first to Richard Rinaldi in 1972 and later to Richard Mason of Old Saybrook, CT in 1990. Personally, Kate had a lifelong passion for reading, mostly detective fiction and animal stories. This stemmed from her Agatha Christie days and her love for canines. As a child she cherished “Dutchess,” a Bull Terrier and, as an adult, “Barney” the Beagle, and “Biscuit,” a Chihuahua/Boston Terrier mix.

Kate’s spiritual life took a new dimension when she joined Grace Episcopal Church in Old Saybrook, upon moving there after marrying her “second” Richard. As a decades-long member, Kate became actively involved in church life by serving on the vestry for two separate terms and eventually becoming a warden of the church. While there she also participated in the choir and the “Women of Grace” Bible study group for many years. Kate entered eternal life to meet her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, May 11, 2026.

Kate was preceded in death by her adoptive parents. She is survived be her husband, Richard “the Second,” and David Rinaldi, her son from her first marriage. Survivors also include Elizabeth Parson and Gregory Mason, her stepchildren from NC and CT respectively. The further generations include one granddaughter from her first marriage and three grandchildren from her second. Great-grandchildren include three living in NH from her second marriage as well. She is also survived by her birth mother, Vera George of IN, with whom she reconnected later in life, as well as several new-to-her half-siblings.

The family would like to thank the staff at Middlesex and Hartford Hospitals for Kate’s final months of dedicated and professional care as she courageously fought intestinal and myelofibrosis conditions. Kate will always be remembered for her stylish dress, great sense of humor, and her dedication for supporting people in need, especially as a psychological counselor and loving spiritual friend.

Funeral services will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Old Saybrook on Saturday, May 16th at 11AM with the burial to follow at Cypress Cemetery, Old Saybrook. The calling hours are to be held at Swan Funeral Home in Old Saybrook on Friday, May 15th from 3-7PM.