Gladys (Pennock) Mason

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Mason, Gladys (Pennock) age 98, of Red Wing, formerly of St. Paul and St. Cloud, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2017 in the presence of her family. Preceded in death by husband, Howard Mason; parents Hugh and Margaret (Wholers) Pennock and brother, Hugh Pennock Jr., a WWII airman. Born August 9, 1919, Gladys graduated in 1937 from St. Cloud Technical High School and soon thereafter enrolled in the Ancker School of Nursing in St. Paul, graduating as a licensed RN. During this time, she met her future husband, Howard Mason. Although the couple was married in 1942, Howard would serve for the next four years of their marriage as a U.S. Army Lieutenant on Guadalcanal in the South Pacific. After WWII, they established residence in Mendota Heights where they raised their two children, Stuart and Marne. After Howard retired with early Alzheimer's, Gladys and he moved in with her aging mother to the family home her father built on the Mississippi River in St. Cloud. Here, Gladys' boundless capacity for caring served both her mother and husband. She remained in her beloved home on the river until moving to Red Wing in 2012 to be closer to family members. Gladys cherished the outdoors and the serenity of nature. She and her family spent many summers in the Minnesota Boundary Waters, camping and canoeing. A wish granted on her 80th birthday was a last canoe adventure trip in the BWCA. She truly felt an inner peace when she gazed at a reflection across a northern lake or listened to the plaintive call of a loon. Family trips also entailed cross-country driving adventures where the family visited dozens of National Parks; camping, hiking and enjoying the natural beauty. Her children and grandchildren follow this adventuresome spirit. A remarkable woman, Gladys had a strong faith that guided her life. She enjoyed photography, art, music, gardening, bird watching and entertaining. She was known for her pie and Christmas cookies! Gladys had a passion for travel, especially the many trips she made with Howard and friends on safari in Africa, one of her favorites being a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary. Her travels took her to every state in the Union, six continents and almost 100 countries. Travel was a way for her to learn about different cultures and to connect with people, especially children, where her nurturing skill and spirit allowed her to volunteer as an aide, teacher or sympathetic traveler. Her photo albums overflow with the memories of these numerous adventures. As a community volunteer she served as a nurse in the public school system, at the Boy Scout camp, at church, blood banks and in disaster relief capacities. An active member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a Masonic service organization, she served as a Grand Officer. She resolutely maintained her nursing license until she was in her 80's. Her favorite leisure activity was playing golf with friends and her regular Bridge club. Gladys will be missed by many, including her two children, Marne (Earl) Kenitz of Red Wing, Minn. and Stuart (Martha) Mason of Minneapolis; four grandchildren, Michelle (Tim Holden) Bygd, Dan (Sarah Stinson) Kenitz, both of Red Wing, Sarah Mason of Minneapolis and Elinor Mason of Boston, Mass.; three great-grandchildren, Lily Kenitz, Grace Kenitz and Alice Bygd; brother-in-law, Robert Mason (Marge); many nieces & nephews. Memorial service for Gladys will be December 30, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Red Wing, Minn. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation in memory of Gladys to Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness (friends-bwca.org) or the University of Minnesota School of Nursing (nursing.umn.edu) Condolences: mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com

Published on December 17, 2017