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BORN
1942
DIED
2022
Wilhelmine Mason Obituary
For the 62 years that we were together, my wife Willy had a fridge magnet which simply read, Dance as though no one is watching, Love as though you've never been hurt, Sing as though no one can hear you, Live as though heaven is on earth. That was how she lived her life up until she passed away on Jan 6th, at 12:55am, with her husband Tracy, singing Beautiful, Beautiful Blue Eyes softly in her ear, when she took her last breath.
Willy was a fun, free-spirited, adventurous woman who loved life and everyone in it. The door was always open without judgement, especially to the friends of our kids who took on Willy as a second mom. A liberated and capable woman, she was quite comfortable travelling anywhere, from hitchhiking across the country with Tracy to many trips to music festivals and southern climes with family and extended posse. Travelling to the Maritimes to visit one of her closest friends June Hiscock always meant the best in down east food and music. They loved each other from the bottom of their hearts. When a few Sudbury bar owners were heading to Florida to party, she had no issue spontaneously joining them. When there was a Policeman's Ball in Sudbury, she went wearing a see-through caftan to show off her beautiful figure. On our 25th wedding anniversary, we decided she should visit LA and stay with her comedian friend, Billy Vader. She joined him on the cruise ship where he performed, then stayed at his place to explore LA and San Francisco in his MGB with a licence plate that read LOVE BOAT. Even near the end, she would find humour in flashing the PSW's, who were at first shocked, but quickly grew to love this bold, humorous woman.
There was the industrious, productive, creative, driven side of Willy. She started off as a talented hairdresser with a shop in our home. Next came management at Lizan's ladies wear, and then a manager and buyer at Silverman's Department store in downtown Sudbury. From there, Willy and Tracy owned and operated three womens wear stores from 1972-87. She was successful in her careers while raising three children and maintaining her zest for life. Her creativity shone through at every opportunity, especially in every halloween costume, birthday cake and party she organised. After moving to Southern Ontario in 1987, Willy returned to college, graduating with honours. For 10 years she worked at Canal View Homes with socially, physically and mentally challenged people. Her clients loved her warm and open personality and her dedication to them. Her diagnosis with colon cancer in 1998 forced retirement and chemotherapy left her with a dementia issue called chemo induced cognitive impairment, CICI.
Willy loved listening to country music and Tracy would start every day singing along with You Are My Sunshine, a song her dad had sung to her every evening. But their greatest bond was dancing. Every weekend they would seek out a country music bar to dance. They always had loads of fun, even when she began her palliative care, which astounded her doctors. For the last six years Willy had a respite companion, Nicole (George) Vinson, who became one of her very best friends. She kept Willy company on a daily basis with lots of laughter, chocolates and cashews.
Willy was a very strong, unconventional woman. After 45 years in an open marriage, and after Willy couldn't remember where her last boyfriend lived, she and Tracy returned to monogamy. Tracy was a dedicated caregiver. With the support of his children, and especially Mandy who spent many hours with them, he was able to keep her home to the end. She will never be forgotten and always be loved.
Dear daughter of William and Ellen Armstrong. Survived by her best friend and dance partner of 62 years, Tracy. Loving mother of Mandy (Chris), Jeff (Andrea) and Marnie (Hartley). Cherished grandmother to Kalem, Stefani, Jesse, Andreas, Matthias, Solomon, Zev and Bohdan and great grandmother to Lily, Riley and River. Dear sister of Roger (predeceased) and Marilyn Armstrong. Sister-in-law to Gary (predeceased) and Diane Mason, Judy and Dan Forestell, Larry and Cathie Mason. Sadly missed by many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Niagara, [email protected] would be appreciated.
A celebration of her life will be held on May 14th, 2022 at 1pm at Tracy Mason's home, 304 Deere Street, Welland, ON. Please join us for dancing, drinks and food. RSVP [email protected]
Hey Darlin', I'm going to love you, forever & ever, Ahhhhmen
Willy was a fun, free-spirited, adventurous woman who loved life and everyone in it. The door was always open without judgement, especially to the friends of our kids who took on Willy as a second mom. A liberated and capable woman, she was quite comfortable travelling anywhere, from hitchhiking across the country with Tracy to many trips to music festivals and southern climes with family and extended posse. Travelling to the Maritimes to visit one of her closest friends June Hiscock always meant the best in down east food and music. They loved each other from the bottom of their hearts. When a few Sudbury bar owners were heading to Florida to party, she had no issue spontaneously joining them. When there was a Policeman's Ball in Sudbury, she went wearing a see-through caftan to show off her beautiful figure. On our 25th wedding anniversary, we decided she should visit LA and stay with her comedian friend, Billy Vader. She joined him on the cruise ship where he performed, then stayed at his place to explore LA and San Francisco in his MGB with a licence plate that read LOVE BOAT. Even near the end, she would find humour in flashing the PSW's, who were at first shocked, but quickly grew to love this bold, humorous woman.
There was the industrious, productive, creative, driven side of Willy. She started off as a talented hairdresser with a shop in our home. Next came management at Lizan's ladies wear, and then a manager and buyer at Silverman's Department store in downtown Sudbury. From there, Willy and Tracy owned and operated three womens wear stores from 1972-87. She was successful in her careers while raising three children and maintaining her zest for life. Her creativity shone through at every opportunity, especially in every halloween costume, birthday cake and party she organised. After moving to Southern Ontario in 1987, Willy returned to college, graduating with honours. For 10 years she worked at Canal View Homes with socially, physically and mentally challenged people. Her clients loved her warm and open personality and her dedication to them. Her diagnosis with colon cancer in 1998 forced retirement and chemotherapy left her with a dementia issue called chemo induced cognitive impairment, CICI.
Willy loved listening to country music and Tracy would start every day singing along with You Are My Sunshine, a song her dad had sung to her every evening. But their greatest bond was dancing. Every weekend they would seek out a country music bar to dance. They always had loads of fun, even when she began her palliative care, which astounded her doctors. For the last six years Willy had a respite companion, Nicole (George) Vinson, who became one of her very best friends. She kept Willy company on a daily basis with lots of laughter, chocolates and cashews.
Willy was a very strong, unconventional woman. After 45 years in an open marriage, and after Willy couldn't remember where her last boyfriend lived, she and Tracy returned to monogamy. Tracy was a dedicated caregiver. With the support of his children, and especially Mandy who spent many hours with them, he was able to keep her home to the end. She will never be forgotten and always be loved.
Dear daughter of William and Ellen Armstrong. Survived by her best friend and dance partner of 62 years, Tracy. Loving mother of Mandy (Chris), Jeff (Andrea) and Marnie (Hartley). Cherished grandmother to Kalem, Stefani, Jesse, Andreas, Matthias, Solomon, Zev and Bohdan and great grandmother to Lily, Riley and River. Dear sister of Roger (predeceased) and Marilyn Armstrong. Sister-in-law to Gary (predeceased) and Diane Mason, Judy and Dan Forestell, Larry and Cathie Mason. Sadly missed by many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Niagara, [email protected] would be appreciated.
A celebration of her life will be held on May 14th, 2022 at 1pm at Tracy Mason's home, 304 Deere Street, Welland, ON. Please join us for dancing, drinks and food. RSVP [email protected]
Hey Darlin', I'm going to love you, forever & ever, Ahhhhmen
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by St. Catharines Standard on Feb. 3, 2022.
Memories and Condolences
for Wilhelmine Mason
5 Entries
Leslie Pink
February 5, 2022
Willy is, and will always be, a massive part of who I am today. The memories I will cherrish forever. Beautiful Willy, always encouraged me to follow my dreams and be myself, and clean the penutbutter off the fridge after my little brother Scott made a mess! Haha. Her sence of humour was undinable!! Oh the stories!!! You, my dear friend, without doubt, will always be the white shoulders of my life.
Till we meet again!
Katrin Brucks
February 5, 2022
My deepest sympathy to the family!
Jennifer Rusk
February 4, 2022
Willie was one of my favourite clients! I know she's dancing in paradise now. Much love to Tracy and the rest of the family.
Mary jane huneault
February 3, 2022
I will miss Willie good thing she thing she done for when she was working at Canalview.My prayers are with the family.
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