Karen Mary Mason

of Lunenburg, community volunteer; 55

LUNENBURG -- Karen Mary (Gaspa) Mason, 55, died Thursday, July 12, 2012 at the HealthAlliance Leominster Hospital.

Karen leaves her husband of 36 years, Thomas J. Mason; three sons, Thomas J. Mason Jr. and his wife, Michelle, of Shanghai, China; Brian Mason and his wife, Jennifer, of Hudson, MA; Chris Mason of Chelsea; and one daughter, Sarah Mason of Mexico City, Mexico; her mother, Lorraine (Hebert) Gaspa, of Somerville; four sisters and two brothers, Joanne Amaral of Weymouth, Barbara Cardoso of Portugal, Richard Gaspa of Las Vegas, NV, Susan Murphy of Gardner, Linda Hardy and George Gaspa, both of Somerville, and many nieces and nephews.

Karen was born in Cambridge, MA on November 14, 1956, a daughter of the late George T. Gaspa. She and Tom were married on June 13, 1976.

She was a 1990 graduate of Fitchburg State College with a BA in Early Childhood Education. She was a resident of Lunenburg for the past 36 years.

Karen was an advocate for LGBT rights, mental health and was a proud member and GED tutor at the Westwinds Clubhouse in Fitchburg. Karen's unyielding generosity, huge smile and inclusive leadership style earned her a reputation as a passionate volunteer, teacher and advocate.

As a community volunteer, she helped lead the PTO, Friends of the Library, Lunenburg Country Festival and countless other organizations and events. Karen also served as an elected member of the Lunenburg Public Library Board of Trustees.

For many years, Karen was very active in the Guild Dancers. She loved working with her husband as the Guild photographers while all her children danced -- making the Guild a true family affair.

Karen loved nature, bird watching, photography and riding in her pontoon boat on Hickory Hills Lake. Extraordinarily generous with a great sense of humor and an amazing love of people, she was a great friend to everyone, especially those in need.

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." (Author Unknown)
MASON -- Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the Lunenburg Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Homes, 763 Mass Avenue, Lunenburg, MA 01462. Burial will follow in the North Cemetery, Holman Street, Lunenburg, MA 01462. Calling hours will be in the Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to either the Westwinds Clubhouse, 545 Westminster Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420 or the Friends of the Lunenburg Library, 1023 Mass Avenue, Lunenburg, MA 01462. See www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net for further information.