Doris L. Mason

Mason, Doris Lucile, age 91, born 2nd of five children, two sisters and two brothers, to Earl&Minnie Engle on February 15, 1924 in the family home north of Abilene, Kansas. Graduated Messiah Academy HS, PA, Upland College, CA, RN Wesley Hospital, BS Emporia State, Teacher. 1942 she left college during WWII, making bandages and other medical items, to aid in war effort. Her desire was to be a nurse, and in 1948 she graduated from Wesley Hospital School of Nursing, later employed at Wesley Hospital in surgery. While Walter was in college, she was employed at Newman Hospital, Emporia, KS, Director of Recovery Room. Doris, taught professional nursing for 20 years, for Wichita USD 259.Also was a member of the American Business Women’s Association, serving as Vice President–Golden Plains chapter, for 10 years, and served as Secretary/Treasurer for the K-15 association. Doris in retirement tutored elementary students , full time for 6 years& part time for a 7th as a volunteer for Foster Grandparents, Catholic Charities. Doris and her husband also attended and supported various churches in Wichita, including Immanuel Baptist Church, Beth-Eden Baptist Church, other Baptist churches, and First Mennonite Brethren Church. She and husband Walter attended the Gospel Center Church after they met and married in 1950, and a son, John A. Mason, was born to the them in 1953. Walter passed away in February of 1995. He had many important jobs at Boeing aircraft, before turning to a career in teaching. He achieved his Education Specialist Degree at Emporia State. Doris had a rigorous career in nursing in the surgical suite, recovery room, geriatrics, school nurse, teaching ob/gyn, nursing rehab, and others. She was a pioneer and role model for professional women, high achievers, and just all around great moms. Doris moved to the retirement community, Larksfield Place in 2006, living there until 2012. She diligently maintained their ‘Art Garden’. She was in assisted living at Sterling House of Tall Grass from January 2013 until recently. The last days of her life were in hospice at Sterling House. Doris died and was received into Heaven on Saturday, June 13, 2015. She and her son had said their tentative goodbyes on the phone, but she died while John was flying back to Wichita. She is preceded by her husband of 45 years, Walter J. Mason and her siblings, Katherine, Earl, & Maxine. Doris will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.Visitation 4 – 7 p.m. Friday, June 19, 2015 at Hillside Funeral Home East, 935 N. Hillside. Funeral 1 p.m. Saturday, Eastminster Presbyterian Church Chapel, 1958 N. Webb Rd. Wichita. Memorial to Messiah College, 1 College Ave, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.