NORWICH – Doris J. Mason, 85, long-time Norwich resident, passed away Wednesday evening. Dec. 2, 2009, in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Born in Albany in March of 1924, the daughter of Edward and Anna Johnson Wogatske, Doris was a graduate of the Milne High School and had also attended Albany Business College. With the advent of World War II, Doris enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served her country from March of 1944 until her honorable discharge in November of 1945. On June 29, 1946, in Albany, Doris married Robert D. Mason and relocated to Norwich with her family in 1956. While raising their children, Doris was very involved in numerous area organizations. A past president of the Newcomers Club of Norwich and past member of the Board of Directors of the Chenango County SPCA, she was active in the PTA, Town and Country Garden Club, and Norwich Night Owls. She was a member of the Community Players, a Brownie leader in Troop #14, taught Sunday school at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, served as a teacher’s aide for the Norwich School District for 17 years, and, with husband Robert, was a member of the Norwich Club. The accomplishment of which she was most proud was earning her certification in Braille through the Library of Congress, a skill which she enjoyed teaching to area students.
Doris is survived by her children and their spouses: Ruth A. Mason, and Robert D. and Peggy Mason III, all of Norwich; Susan E. and Joel Gressel of Loyalton, Calif., Kristin L. and Robert Snow of Norwich; and her “fifth child,” companion and friend, Casey the golden Lab. She is also survived by grandchildren and their spouses: Robin and Vincent Marquart of Frederick, Md., Rebekah and Michael Holland of Hatboro, Pa., Rachel and William Ballin III of Norwich, Kimberly and Christopher Conway of Bohemia, Erik Mason of Norwich, Kayla, Meghan, and Danica Gressel of Loyalton, Calif., and Anna and Abigail Snow of Norwich; and by two great grandsons, Jonas Marquart and Liam Ballin. Doris was predeceased by her husband, Robert, on Nov. 12, 1998, and by her sister, Ruth C. Wogatske.
Memorial services for Doris will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday from the Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Norwich. The Rev. Charles Taylor of New Berlin will officiate.
Interment will be at a later date in the Graceland Cemetery of Albany.
Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Sunday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Chenango County SPCA, 6160 County Road 32, Norwich, NY 13815.