Dorothy Marie Mason

Born March 19, 1930 in New Orleans, LA.

(Known to her childhood friends as Dot)

Dorothy Marie Mason, beloved wife, mother and friend, passed away at home on Tuesday, August 13, 2015, following a battle with cancer at the age of 85. Although the cancer was painful her spirits were high and her mind was clear up until the last days of her illness. Dorothy is survived by her brother Gordon Deslattes and her six children and their spouses: John Jr., Michael and wife Becky, Karen and husband Phil Lena, Craig and wife Kim, David and wife Sheryl, Thomas, and ten grandchildren: Justin Mason, Paul Lena, Brittany Mason, Kristen and husband Tyler Buchanan, Megan Mason, Cynthia Sanchez, Tiffany Mason, Samantha Mason, Kelsey Lena, Lance Mason and two great-grandchildren: Christian Landrum and Brinley Buchanan. Dorothy was preceded in death by John Mason Sr., her loving husband for almost 60 years, her parents, Ignace and Adelaide Deslattes, her sisters Marguerite Deslattes and Shirley Beach, and her brother Jerry Deslattes.

Dorothy was raised in Houston with her sister Shirley and brothers, Jerry and Gordon. Her younger sister, Marguerite, died of pneumonia at a young age. Dorothy graduated from Incarnate Word, an all girls' Catholic high school.

She met the love of her life, John Mason, at a Dude Ranch in Bandera, Texas the summer of 1952. John introduced himself by handing her a lit roman candle. This “ignited” their love for each other and they were married on January 24, 1953 in Houston. That was their favorite story to tell!

Dorothy and John started their lives together in Houston. They remained there for 11 years, moving to Austin in 1964. They were blessed with 6 children, 5 boys and a 1 girl. Dorothy's love of God and family has always been the focus of her life and has carried her through many trials. She was an active participant in many ministries at St. Louis Catholic Church. She worked at Travis High School for over 10 years as an aide, working with English Language Learners and then as an aide for the English department. She loved spending time with her family and family traditions were important to her. She hosted Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Easter dinners. Christmas was her favorite time and loved having grandchildren so she could continue the Santa stockings. She especially looked forward to their yearly family summer trip down to South Padre Island. (Her kids loved it too, since she always had a crab boil and gumbo!)

Dorothy will be loved, missed and always remembered.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family on Monday, August 17, 2015 from 6pm-8pm, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752. A rosary will be recited at 7pm that evening.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 10:30am at St. Louis Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Road Austin, TX 78757. Reception following mass in Church Hall 11:30am-2:00pm.

Burial at 3:00pm, Assumption Cemetery Mausoleum, 3650 South IH 35 Austin, TX 78704.