Dorothy S. Mason

She was born on April 20, 1929 in Footedale, Pennsylvania to the late Antoinette “Nettie” Workman and Benjamin Shimshock, Sr.

Dorothy was born into a family of ten siblings in Footedale, Pennsylvania. Her mother was a homemaker and her father was a miner in the H. C. Frick Coal Mines of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. So, Dorothy was a “coal miner’s daughter.” Dorothy was an identical twin to her sister, Delores, and she was the younger twin.

Dorothy met her future husband, Paul, while picking tobacco (during high school summer vacation) at a farm in Western Massachusetts. They married in 1950 and settled in Springfield, Massachusetts. Dorothy began working for the New England (Bell) Telephone Company as a telephone operator for directory assistance during the 1950s and retired from there in 1989. In 1990, Dorothy and her husband decided to relocate to Orlando, Florida. After being “retired” for a brief period, Dorothy sought employment at Universal Studios in 1991. She worked at Portofino Bay for the majority of her employment at Universal Studios and retired from there at age 82 after 20 years of service.

Dorothy was an impeccable dresser and always well-coiffed. She loved fine clothes, exquisite perfumes, well-crafted handbags, and dazzling jewelry. Dorothy was a life-long adherent to yoga and its health benefits. In later years, she enjoyed being outdoors tending to her garden and yard in the Florida sunshine. Her family dearly misses Dorothy’s sparkling presence and lovely smile. She was a wonderful mother and “Nana.”

Dorothy was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Paul R. Mason (2013), her son, Gregory P. Mason (1975) and her son, Mark D. Mason (1984).

She is survived by her two loving and devoted daughters, Pamela Mason and Debra Goodrich (Rodger); one brother, Walter Shimshock of Ohio. Dorothy is survived by five precious grandchildren, Heather Mason Suares (Adam Boger), Amanda Mason Suares, Nicole Purdom (Dean), Gregory Goodrich, and Evan Goodrich. She is also survived by two cherished great grandchildren, Audrey and Ophelia Boger.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Family Funeral Care, Orlando, Florida.

A private viewing and prayer service at the funeral home is to be held on September 3, 2020.

Condolences may be offered at www.familyfuneralcareorlando.com