Rosalie Mason Hammock

Rosalie Mason Hammock went home to be with her Lord, Savior and
Friend, Jesus Christ, Saturday, June 17, 2006. Rosalie had suffered from congestive heart failure for many years and was under the care of Hospice of the Valley. Rosalie was deeply loved by many and she dearly loved her family, friends and neighbors. Her mother, Gladys, would call her Sister, and while her mother was alive, they would talk several times a day on the phone. Her brothers and sister called her Rosie and her nieces and nephews knew her as Aunt Rosie. Rosalie took care of her brothers and sister while they were growing up and to this day they had a very close relationship. To her husband she was Darling, to her daughters she was Mom and to her grandchildren, she was Grandma. At First Christian Church Tempe where she had been a member since 1942, she was known as Miss Rosie. Rosalie was born December 27, 1924 to Harry James and Gladys Hale Mason in Cherokee, Oklahoma. She was the oldest daughter of the Mason family, sister to A.C. Mason, deceased, Richard L. Mason, Mary Elizabeth Arnold and Roy J. Mason. Her family moved from Custer City, Oklahoma to Miami, Arizona where she attended Miami High School graduating in 1942. Her father moved the family to Tempe Arizona so his children could attend Arizona State College, now Arizona State University. Rosalie met Ben "Red" Hammock her freshman year of high school and they were married in 1947 after Ben returned from serving in World War II. Ben and Rosalie were the original owners of their home on east Windsor in Phoenix that was purchased in 1952. Their two daughters, Janice Lee Orick and Karen Elizabeth Bartz were raised in that home and Rosalie lived there until January, 2006. Rosalie attended Good Samaritan Hospital's Nursing School. After attending nursing school she went to work for Dr. George Irvine. Dr. Irvine with his associate, Dr. William G. Payne formed the Medical Arts Clinic. Rosalie worked with Dr. Payne until he and his staff retired in March of 1988. She managed Dr. Payne's front office for over 34 years; Dr. Payne and his staff greatly appreciated Rosalie for her years of service and dedication to the patients. Rosalie was a very active member of First Christian Church Tempe, joining the church December 20, 1942. As a young woman she sang in the choir. She was involved with Christian Daughters, taught Sunday school and eventually became Superintendent of the Beginner Department. Rosalie was honored on Mother's Day, 1971 for her 16 years of service. She had organized and directed many Christmas pageants and spent hours preparing lessons for Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. Minister Porter Estes wrote of Rosalie, "Mrs. Hammock is not only the mother to two fine daughters after the flesh, but hundreds of boys and girls who have been in her department." Rosalie was a giver; she gave unconditionally of herself to her family, friends and neighbors. In the back of her Bible she had written; "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving." This was how she lived her life. She loved spending time with her loved ones and friends, entertaining, baking, sewing, needle pointing, working cross word and jigsaw puzzles; her hands were never idle. She loved Mexican food and playing card games, Bridge, Pinochle, Hand & Foot, and Euchre. She loved children, especially her daughters, grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She enjoyed playing games with them, building forts, flying kites and loving them. She loved kissing their necks, nibbling on their cheeks, and hugging them. Rosalie has left her legacy with her two daughters; Janice Lee Orick of Phoenix and her husband Phillip Lloyd Orick; Karen Elizabeth Bartz who resides in Stuart, Florida and her husband Donald A. Bartz and her grandchildren; Christopher Ryan Orick of San Diego, California and Cole Phillip Orick and his wife Michelle Marie Orick of Glendale Arizona. She also leaves behind her brothers Dick and Roy Mason and her sister Mary Beth Arnold. Memorial services will be held at First Christian Church Tempe, 2720 South Dorsey Lane, Tempe Arizona; Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements are being handled by Green Acres Mortuary of Scottsdale. Flowers may be sent to First Christian Church Tempe. Donations may be sent to First Christian Church Tempe's Memorial Fund at 2720 South Dorsey Lane, Tempe, Arizona 85282 or to Hospice of the Valley at 1510 East Flower Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85014-5656 in honor and memory of Rosalie's abundant, joyful, giving, and loving life. Rosalie you are the women in Proverbs 31 and your children have risen up and called you blessed and your works are praised at the gates. Well done, good and faithful servant!