Maureen Sue Mason

Maureen Sue Mason helped so many people in this world as a concerned citizen, friend and businesswoman. Her loving family was by her side when she peacefully passed away on June 6, 2023, in her Pacific Grove home.

Maureen was born in San Francisco in 1946. She grew up in a less populated Marin County where nature abounded and provided, in her words, opportunities for "aimless wandering." As an adult she spent 17 years in Chicago and explored the Midwest before returning to California in 1983. The beauty of the Monterey Peninsula nourished her soul. She commented “I was fortunate to come to the Monterey Peninsula. Point Lobos was the place I visited more than any other in my first few years back in California. I was also lucky to be in the first Guide class at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where I developed a love of marine invertebrates that has never abated.”

She was a successful, well known and respected realtor for over 30 years. Whatever the endeavor, Maureen was noted for her intelligence, generosity, wit, and honest communication. Making the world a better place was her guiding principle. Her active civic life in Pacific Grove included positions on the Pacific Grove Historical Resources Committee and Housing Authority Group, the non-profit board of Everyone's Harvest, Citizens for Sustainable Monterey County Board, and the Friends of Hopkins Marine Station Board. She was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2016 by the City of Pacific Grove. She was also Bill Peake’s campaign manager when he successfully ran for mayor in 2018.

Maureen found a reserve of energy to remain vibrant even after she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer metastasized to the liver. Chemotherapy helped her continue with substantial strength for over 3 years. As she once explained: “I find myself being energized and restored each time I volunteer at Point Lobos. The Reserve is a joyous and integral part of my healing journey.” Ultimately, the chemo no longer worked and other attempts to fight the cancer were to no avail. As with everything in her life, Maureen made each day of those 3 years count through meaningful connections and gratitude, continuing as an inspiration to others.

Our dear Maureen gave family members a special gift when she was near death. She opened her eyes, looked around giving us all eye contact as well as a mischievous smile, and her last words were “Do good works!”

Maureen and husband Rick Parsons complemented each other in so many ways for a wonderfully fulfilling 36 years. Maureen had a special fondness for her nephews, nieces, and grandchildren and was especially proud of her daughter Jenny, Jenny’s husband Chris, her granddaughter Sarah, son Adam and nephew Kevin. She loved her two brothers Brian and Noel, her sisters-in-law Cathrin and Karin. Sadly, she was predeceased by her sister Wendy, and by her precious 5-week-old daughter Anna Kristina Mason.

Maureen, we all love and miss you so much!

The family requests those who wish to remember Maureen please consider a memorial gift (in lieu of flowers) to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve or the American Cancer Society.

Please contact Rick, [email protected], to RSVP or share memories of Maureen

Maureen is now resting at El Carmelo Cemetery in Pacific Grove, where she and her husband often went to go birding, him with camera, her with binoculars and as she liked to say being the “the spotter.”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thepaulmortuary.com for the Mason family.