Valerie Elizabeth Mason, age 87, passed away Monday, July 25, 2005 at the United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley, WA. She was born November 22, 1917 in Reidsville, Georgia, the daughter of Wallace and Fannie Tootle. Valerie grew up in Georgia attending school and in February of 1938 she was married to Henry ‘Eddy’ Mason in Reidsville, GA.
Valerie has been a resident of Sedro-Woolley since 1949, coming here from Reidsville, GA. For many years, she worked as a clerk in inventory control at Skagit Steel and was the first and only women to retire from Skagit Steel. Valerie was a member of the Sedro-Woolley Study Group, Sedro-Woolley Garden Club, United Methodist Women, an active member of Central United Methodist Church, and a past president of the Sedro-Woolley PTA in the early 1950’s. She enjoyed gardening, flower arranging, sewing, and collecting antiques. Valerie enjoyed traveling, including trips to England, Scotland, Europe, and a trip to Russia with her grandson David. Over the years, she traveled back and forth to her home in Georgia and the Northeast. Valerie enjoyed attending the symphony in Seattle and Vancouver, BC with a group of friends. She and four of her close friends attended the Shakespearian Festival in Ashland, OR numerous times.
Valerie is survived by her son Ed and his wife Charlotte Mason of Niantic, CT, formally longtime residents of Sedro-Woolley. Grandsons Craig Mason and his wife Michelle and their children Timmy, Tyler, and Samantha of Niantic, CT and Dr. Michael Mason and his wife Lori and their children Victoria and Max of Orrington, ME. A brother Glenn Tootle of Glennville, GA. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Eddy in 1977, a grandson David Mason in 1985, and a brother Col. Vernon Tootle.
Private Family Graveside Memorial Services will be held Saturday, July 30, 2005 at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with a Celebration of Life Memorial Service to follow at 1:00 PM at the Central United Methodist Church on Polte Rd with Pastor Marilyn Kallshian officiating. Memorials are suggested to Central United Methodist Church Memorial Fund. You are invited to share your memories of Valerie by signing our online guestbook at www.lemleychapel.com Arrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley, WA.