After 94 years, Patricia J. Mason peacefully left this world. She died after a brief illness at Bristol Glen in Newton, N.J. She was born on a snowy day on Nov. 26, 1931, in Brooklyn, N.Y. to the late Raymond and Georgia (Tefft) Storck. She grew up with her sisters Mary M. Eugenio, who died in 2008, and Ellen Mauro, who died in 2015, as well as her brother Harold Storck, who died in 2004.
Patricia worked as a bank teller in the city, where she met her late husband, William Mason. They married on Sept. 13, 1952, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and had two sons together. They moved to Sparta, N.J., from New York City 55 years ago to raise their sons and quickly became a strong part of the community, as Patricia joined the Sparta Women’s Club. She recently received an award from the club for her 50 years of membership and service. She was a longtime and faithful member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, where she served on the Altar Guild and as a lay eucharistic minister, was involved with S.M.I.L.E.S (St. Mary’s Incredibly Luscious Edibles), which was a cooking ministry that prepared meals for parishioners going through a difficult time, as well as the prayer chain at church. In 2019, she was presented with the lifetime achievement award in recognition of her many contributions to the church and community from the Senior Ministries, Diocese of Newark, N.J.
Patricia and William were happily married for 44 years before William lost his battle with multiple sclerosis. She was a devoted and loving caretaker to her husband during his many years of illness. Once he passed, she happily traveled the world and spent her time with her family and among her many friends in the community. Patricia lived a very full 94 years. She was a lifelong reader and loved the arts, never missing her son Robert’s shows on Broadway and at Lincoln Center. She appreciated the finer things in life, while also delighting in every day small joys.
Patricia will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends, and community. She was a loving, caring, and compassionate friend, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will be remembered for her great sense of humor, her impeccable style, and her ability to make friends everywhere she went.
Patricia is survived by her sons Steve Mason and his wife Deborah Mason of Marathon, N.Y., and Robert Mason and his husband Manuel Portales of New York City, her grandchildren Jamie Kimon (Shawn Kimon) and Sean Mason of Vermont. She is also survived by her great grandchildren Sophie and Wyatt Kimon, who were the light of her life.
The service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 85 Conestoga Trail Sparta, N.J. It will begin with calling hours at 11 a.m. to pay respects with the family, followed by a service at 12 p.m., and will conclude with the burial of her ashes in the memorial garden.
We will have a repast in Schaffer Hall after the burial. We invite friends and neighbors to join us to remember the vibrant life that Patricia lived. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
