Chandler McCall Mason

1994 - 2024

Chandler McCall Mason

April 18, 1994 - July 1, 2024

Washington, District Of Columbia - Chandler McCall Mason, 30, of Washington, DC passed away on July 1, 2024. She was born on April 18, 1994, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Chandler was educated at fine North Carolina schools Lacy Elementary School, Martin Middle School, Saint Mary's High School, and UNC-Chapel Hill. She enrolled in the honors program at UNC and graduated with a degree in Peace, War, and Defense. A Tar Heel through and through, she was an active member of the North Carolina Society of Washington, DC, helping plan events and ensuring great North Carolina barbecue, seafood, and beer were available to all Tar Heel transplants and Tar Heel wannabes.

Although Chandler identified as a proud North Carolinian, she fully embraced her home in Washington, DC. She became a part of many communities that reflected her diverse interests and had many friends, including her close trivia buddies, her beerhead pals, her hiking and outdoor friends, and her professional colleagues. Chandler was an explorer of her adopted home, learning all the best hiking trails, restaurants, and breweries, and following the local festivals and museum exhibits for every season.

Chandler forged close friendships and was gifted at connecting with people. She was a trusted confidant who was fine-tuned to the needs of others. Chandler showed up for the people she loved at the best and worst times, always bringing her kindness, quick wit, and intelligence. Chandler maintained her friendships from home, many of which were lifelong. She got back what she gave; she was adored by her many friends, family, and colleagues.

Chandler strongly believed in service to others. After high school, she completed a gap year on the African continent, where she taught English to Maasai in Zanzibar, assisted in a daycare for orphans of AIDS in South Africa, taught young boys at an orphanage in Ethiopia, and taught life skills to impoverished women in Ghana. She also traveled to Haiti on a service trip with White Memorial Presbyterian Church to help rebuild after the devasting 2010 earthquake.

Chandler made service her career. She started working in 2017 as a US Congressional staff member and engaged in policy work, focusing on fighting poverty, food scarcity, and housing issues. Most recently, she became the Legislative Director for Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, and she proudly served as the main policy advisor on tax and economic issues. In this role, she drafted legislation, supervised the legislative staff, and mentored young staffers. She was a beloved member of the tax policy community in Washington, DC.

Always seeking adventure, Chandler traveled the globe on her own and with others, including studying abroad in Australia, engaging in language immersion in Costa Rica, and exploring places such as Türkiye and the western United States. Most recently, she traversed to Singapore on a work trip and had such an amazing cultural experience.

Chandler was well-loved by her family, friends, and neighbors. She is survived by her parents, Merrill and Cindy Mason, her sister Ellen Mason and brother-in-law Justin Straborny, her brother Raiden Mason, and her nephew Stotts Straborny and niece Billie Lou Straborny. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved her dearly.

In memory of Chandler, visit your local coffee shop, raise a glass of good beer, take a long hike, or treat yourself to something nice. If you'd like to donate, please consider donating to the Dix Park Conservancy (www.dixparkconservancy.org) or the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery (www.congressionalcemetery.org).

A Celebration of Chandler's life will be held on Tuesday, July 9 at 2:00 p.m. at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Rd., Raleigh, North Carolina.