Thelma Ambrozine Mason

This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. Let us not sorrow as those without hope but let us remember with joy the life of our beloved Thelma Ambrozine Mason (nee Fagan) who fought the good fight of faith and finished her race on Friday, July 16, 2021. She was 82.

Thelma, also known as T, was born on January 12, 1939 in Friendship District, Morgans Pass, Clarendon, Jamaica and was considered the beauty of the family. She was the third of eleven children and the second girl for John and Catherine Fagan. Three of her siblings died in infancy leaving four boys and four girls who, despite very harsh living conditions during childhood, survived to become remarkable adults.

As a child, Thelma once injured her big toe and permanently lost its nail, leaving her with a stump and the original nickname “Tumpa-Toe” given by her siblings. She and her baby sister, Maisie grew up with their maternal grand-mother, Mama Tinny, in a strong family unit where she developed a love for learning. Thelma was exceptionally brilliant in school and successfully completed her studies by age sixteen.

Not long after, Thelma began her career as a teacher and fell in love. In 1959, she gave birth to her firstborn son, Vincent. Subsequently, in 1963, Thelma immigrated to the United States where she settled in New York City, returned to school and earned a certificate in business. Completing this program of study launched her profession in accounting in 1964. She had begun life anew.

By 1972, Thelma and her husband had produced a daughter, Stephanie and a son, Valentine. She carefully raised her three children, maintained close relationships with her seven siblings and worked diligently in her profession. Though Thelma had many responsibilities, her greatest mission was to develop a right relationship with God in her life. As her faith increased, Thelma earned a degree from Borough of Manhattan Community College which allowed her to advance in her occupation. She spent over four decades working in various firms and retired in 2007 from New York City Housing Authority.

She will be remembered for her love of God, her dancing, her sense of humor, and her amazing gift of kindness. Thelma cared deeply for her family and friends and desired more than anything else that everyone would say yes to the calling of God. She was always ready to pray for others and to encourage them to trust in the Lord. Despite the decline of her memory and health, Thelma often declared that she was a child of God and would praise Jesus. She believed that no matter what, with God all things are possible.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, by her three siblings from childhood and more recently in 2017 by her brother, Keith and in 2019 by her great-granddaughter, Jaislyn Elizabeth.

She is survived by her three children: Vincent Allen (Grace Ann), Stephanie Lewis (Christopher), and Valentine Mason (Vicki); ten grandchildren: Calvin, Jemell (Denisha), Jordan (Amber), Janea, Joillet, Juliet, Sofia, Andre, Cait and Max; five great-grandchildren: Kalen, Kacen, Malia, Folasade, and Juliana; six siblings: Ronald Fagan, Joyce Fagan, Daisy Martin, Clive Fagan, Winston Fagan, and Maisie May and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.