Marlene A. Mason

1939 - 2023

Surrounded by her family, Marlene A. Mason, 84, of Kingston, died as peacefully and gracefully as she lived on Monday, April 24, 2023, at the home of her daughter in Philadelphia.

A year-long battle with cancer failed to diminish Marlene's positivity, zest for life and sense of humor. Whether riding in her daughter's convertible, eating a celebratory ice cream cone after finishing radiation, or singing songs from an 80th birthday playlist to and from doctor's appointments with her son, Mark, Marlene embraced life and every moment with her family.

Born Jan. 3, 1939, in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Elinor Aufiero. Marlene learned many lessons in resilience from her mom, who was widowed at 33 and raised 5-year-old Marlene along with her 13-month-old brother, Joseph and 7-year-old brother, Dominick on her own. As Marlene moved into her teens, she served as another mother to her younger brother while her mom worked.

A graduate of GAR High School, Marlene joined her mom in working in downtown Wilkes-Barre, managing the books for the Hollywood Shop and meeting her mom at Percy Brown's for lunch. She and Elinor were a team, which remained true as Marlene cared for her until Elinor passed at almost 100.

Marlene married the love of her life, Robert Mason, on Oct. 28, 1961, at Holy Rosary Church, Wilkes-Barre. Bob and Marlene loved dancing, spending evenings with their gang, the Lowerys, Smiths, and Masciolis and watching their beloved Eagles and Phillies. When Bob became ill, Marlene cared for him through a series of surgeries over the last 10 years of his life. She was his chef and patient caretaker.

When her daughter, Karen, was born, Marlene remained at home as a full-time mom and homemaker. No one had more of a calling to be a mom. She doted on Karen and then Mark while mourning the loss of a stillborn baby girl between them. Marlene was an amazingly balanced combination of a fun mom and an actual parent. She would ride roller coasters at amusement parks with her daughter, Karen, spend hours jumping waves in the ocean or poolside with Karen and Mark, attend every single one of her son's sporting events while serving as a Cub Scout den mother, cook amazing homemade meals along with her legendary mac-n-cheese and make at least eight different types of cookies every Christmas for her family and neighbors.

After her children moved out of their teens, she returned to bookkeeping work at Tuftex Carpeting, Plains Twp., until she retired 30 years later. However, her true job during this time was caring for her grandchildren, Ellie and Rylan, with her husband. From "Mom" to "Grammie," Marlene found her life's calling. Trips to the beach with JoAnn, Mark, Ellie and Rylan, attendance at every athletic and musical event and hours playing with them until they were young adults morphed into trips with Karen and Joan, the Bush clan and the many great-nephews and great-nieces who adopted her as another grandmother, their "Mae-Mae."

Marlene was a member of the Parish of St. Ignatius Loyola, Kingston, the GFWC Northeastern Club and a steadfast volunteer for the Wilkes-Barre Triathlon.

Known by all for her kindness, warmth and deep faith, Marlene had many admirers. Marlene walked two miles daily on Wyoming Avenue and waved to every car beeping that passed her by. Her neighbors knew when Marlene tuned in to football games for Penn State or the Eagles and heard her vociferously cheering and screaming at the television.

Marlene was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Mason; her stillborn daughter; parents, Elinor and Frank Aufiero; brothers, Joseph and Dominick Aufiero; sister-in-law, Martina Aufiero; and in-laws, Gomer and Catherine Mason.

Marlene's daughter, Karen Mason; daughter-in-law, Joan Bush; son, Mark Mason; daughter-in-law, JoAnn Mason; grandchildren, Ellie and Rylan Mason; furry grandpuppies, Percy and Chewy; sister-in-law, Anita Aufiero; nieces, nephews, and many unofficially adopted grandchildren will miss her very much.

Marlene's entire family is grateful for the care provided by Dr. Suresh and the health care professionals from the Asplundh Cancer Center at Jefferson and her loving aide Lynne Edgefield from Griswold Home Healthcare.

A celebration of Marlene's life will begin with visitation from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at McLaughlin's, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. It continues there with gathering beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday and a funeral Mass at 10:15 a.m. in the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, 339 N. Maple Ave., Kingston.

Donations to Penn Hospice or Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge are preferred and will honor Marlene's memory.

Share memories and condolences with Marlene's family at mjmclaughlin.com.