Linda was a huge part of TVGRR. She was always willing to help the goldens in need.  She will trulely be missed. 
Karin and Kim Jessen

Linda was such an important part of TVGRR. We met so many times in Cleveland to get dogs transported from Chattanooga to Knoxville. I will miss her! Thank you Linda for being such a wonderful caring woman!

Thank You and Goodbye to Linda Mason
June 2, 2014 by Sylvia Simpson

Today our hearts and prayers are with Linda's family and friends.   It is an honor to speak about our love for Linda on behalf of Nell, Rosemary, Brenda, Joyce, Elaine, JoAnn, Lori, Judy and myself, Sylvia.  We are Arthur's Girls, a group who has stayed very close through a lot of years-- through a lot of thicks and a lot of thins.  There were ten of us—and now there are only nine.     
We have known Linda for almost 50 years.  That sounds so obscenely long but it means we knew each other for most of the important events in our lives.  We know each other's husbands and children and the accomplishments of numerous grandchildren.  Some of us knew Linda before she met Lee.   After she and Lee married we rarely called her Linda—she became  Mason.  We just called her Mason.  (Well, sometimes we called her Squatlow because there was a height issue.)   Mason always had pictures of her nieces and nephews to show and brag about.     We knew she adored Benjamin.   
Linda was the Leader of our Pack.  She taught us so much during our many years as friends.   I will pass on a couple of the most important    “Rules According to Mason”:
1. Wearing white pants or white shoes before Easter or after Labor Day is in bad taste and should NOT be done.  If we committed such a breach of etiquette, it would be a serious faux pas.   Actually, Mason taught me to say faux pas.   (And of course to show our independence, we met her for lunch one day in the dead of winter wearing white pants and white shoes.    She did notice.)
2. Mason taught us to keep a ball point pen handy in case we need to make a note on our hand, or if we ran out of room on our hand, we could use the inside of our arm. 
3. She told me the MOST IMPORTANT THING to do before I gave a party is to wash the baseboards in the bathroom.  That was because anyone sitting on the toilet would have nowhere else to look.  The worst thing imaginable would be if they saw dust on those baseboards.    I'm thinking that would probably be another one of those faux pas.
4.  Mason taught me what it was like to set the bar for being a true friend so high that I will never be able to reach it.     
I will never forget how happy it would make me to answer the phone and hear her say “I'm in your driveway can I come in?”    That was always one of those unexpected surprises that always made my day.
Thank you, Mason, for being our friend.   Thank you for all the laughs—and we had a lot of laughs.   Thank you for listening when we had problems—and we had a lot of tears.  Thank you for your love of animals.  Thank you for being you.  You will be deeply missed and you will be fondly and lovingly remembered.

Linda, Arthur's Girls will not be the same without you.  You will be so very missed.

Linda was a very special lady.  She always took the time to speak to the other Lantern residents when she came to visit her mother, Clara.  Her infectious upbeat spirit and winning smile  made everyone she came in contact with feel special.  I'm glad I had the opportunity to know you.  God bless.

Lee,
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family.  You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bob Doak - President, Chattanooga Convention & Visitors Bureau
Tim Morgan - President, Chattanooga Sports Committee

Lee so sorry to hear about Linda & your loss. We are out of town but I do understand your grief. Our prayers are with you & your family. 
God Bless!
Lewie

Lee Mason has dedicated the song "Open Arms" from Journey to Linda, which he calls "Mulie". In respect to him, could you please dedicate this song within the memorial service that begins at 1 pm on Monday. He is truly heart broken over Linda's passing. He loved her with all his heart and he reflects a lot on their lives together. Linda was a great person and she loved Benjamin with all her heart. My heart goes out to Benjamin, as he is so young and lose his "MiMi". She was called home by our Lord too soon; however in my Christian heart, she was called home to be Benjamin's Guardian Angel to also include the Golden Retrievers that she rescued. She was loved by all and I wish I had more of an opportunity to get to know her better. I pray for the friends and family of Linda and hope that time will heal everyone's pain. In Christian Love!

I appreciate what Linda did for my girls while they were at GPS . She was able to make them laugh, keep them in line and provide balance through the challenges of middle and high school .

Linda you will be truly missed. I knew you for over 3 yrs when I worked at Wally's. You always brought a smile on our faces, goodies to eat, hugs and your wonderful laugh. Thank you for everything you did for Wally's and all the animals you helped. Your an amazing lady.

LEE YOU & YOUR FAMILY ARE IN MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS..

ALFREDIA RHODES

It has been a long time since I have seen Linda most recently, but I really remember her very well.  She will be so deeply missed, and by so very many.

We are heartbroken. By herself, Linda ran the  Chattanooga program for the TN Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (TVGRR) for six years. Her caring and generosity made such a difference in so many lives. She gave so much more than she took.

I met Linda when I started doing intake for TN Valley Golden Retriever Rescue.  She was always ready willing and able to go any length to save a golden.  I always knew with a push of a button I had a savior on the way.  She will be so dearly missed.  Her funny sense of humor and dedication has touched so many lives.  I know personally I will miss calling her and talking doggie!!

Linda was one of the first people I met when I moved to chatt.. So lovely and kind.. Even though our paths have not crossed recently.. I consider her an old and treasured  friend.. Lee, I am thinking of you and your family and remembering Linda with great fondness.

I met Linda many years ago when she served on the Board of Trustees at The Senter School. She always had a smile on her face and was a dedicated professional. She will be missed. My sympathy goes to all her family and all who had the pleasure of calling her a friend.

I can only imagine what Heaven is like now that Linda Mason is on the scene!  I know there is a herd of goldens following at her heels and she is loving every minute of it!!!!  We may have lost our wonderful friend but Heaven has a beautiful new angel.  Thank you for sharing your life with so many people and especially for being my dear, loving friend.  Tripp and I will miss you so much!  You lit up every room you walked into with your fabulous smile, kept us all in stitches with your clever wit and warmed our hearts with your infectious laugh.  Whatever will we do without you!  Love you more, my forever friend!

Dear Mason,
You were almost always the first face I'd see walking into school. I'd go straight to the book store to see you (as long as I wasn't late- which happened frequently). Buying a Powerbar every morning was just my excuse for seeing you and petting your hamsters of course. Each day started cheerfully thanks to you. Whether I came in smiling or crying, I always left laughing and wishing for more time to hang out. People always knew where to find me because I spent every free period I had sitting in the corner of your bookstore. I felt at home in there with you- always a calm environment, always a listening ear, always laughter and even pets! You became a voice of reason for all those high school "tragedies" and a friend to celebrate the milestones with. Every Sunday I'd look for your car parked in the same spot on the street and try to catch you leaving the early service. Most of the time you were too quick for me, but I knew I'd get to see you bright and early Monday. You'd me proud to know I'll be a vet in one year, and every time I see a golden retriever I think of you! Thank you for being my home away from home. Thank you for all the friends I made through you, thank you for loving all of us GPS girls even when we weren't very lovable.

So sorry for all the pain and suffering you were forced to endure, but so glad you have finally found peace.  Say hi to my mama when you see her, as you and she flew to heaven on the same day.

Linda is one of the reasons I have my precious Golden Retriever, Bella. She was such a compassionate person with a kind heart. She will be greatly missed.  Thinking of her dear family during this difficult time. 
Donna Killian

Linda had a heart as big as Tennessee.  She truly loved the dogs she rescued, and she rescued so many.  She nursed them and loved them and then handed them off to their new families.  She will be greatly missed by the rescue community and all of her friends and family in TVGRR.

Linda was such a loving and caring person. I am privileged to count myself among her friends. She always knew how to make you feel better and to share your joys. I will  miss her so much.

I have lost a dear friend that I have had the honor of knowing for so many years. She was truly one that had a genuine concern and interest in each of our lives. Her smile would brighten my day and I will always remember Linda in that way.  I give thanks for being included in her circle of friends and will truly miss our "luncheon chats".

The world truly has lost someone who made a difference in so many lives, both two and four-legged. I always loved the quote she used as a sign off in her emails, "Heaven's the place where all the dogs you've ever loved come to greet you."  She will be greatly missed.

OBITUARY

Linda Hill Mason

July 31, 1942 – May 30, 2014

Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist-North Chapel and Hamilton Memorial Gardens

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