Winifred D. Mason

1926 - 2011

Winifred D. Mason
Portsmouth - Winifred (LeCompte) Darden Mason, a native of Portsmouth Virginia, passed away at 85 years old to be with her Heavenly Father on Dec. 25, 2011. She was the widow of Otis Earl Mason born in Beaufort and from Bettie, North Carolina. They were married in Portsmouth in 1946 and were life long residents. "Winnie" graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School 1945 and was a life member of West End UMC. She is survived by her only child Ronald Douglas Mason, her two grand children Michael D Mason and Lori Mason Carpenter, and three great grand children. She retired in 1988 from the City of Portsmouth as a bookkeeper at the Portsmouth Art Gallery.
Winnie Mason was very active at West End UMC, as was her mother Lillian LeCompte Darden. She supported the Portsmouth community her entire life, as did her father Wm Blount Darden, the Advertising Manager/ Journalist for Portsmouth Star newspaper. She was a President of the local Toast Mistress Club and the Portsmouth Garden Club, to name a few. Winnie was also a volunteer at: the local visual and performing arts venues, Meals-On-Wheels and a Maryview Medical Center, etc.
She was a trained pianist, as was her mother and grand mother Annie Craver LeCompte (Newport News/ DC). Winnie loved to dance and played golf with her husband Otis. They were members of the Elizabeth Manor Golf and Country Club.
Her wishes were: "to remember me and my joy full spirit during those years when I was vibrant". Her remains will be cremated and buried in the Darden - Mason plot with her husband and family. A private ceremony will be held at Olive Branch Cemetery.
The family will be gathered here around Christmas and will have a "Celebration of Life" eulogy ceremony at a local restaurant to tell her stories and fondly remember her life. Family and friends are invited to attend-RSVP 757-478-5368. Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel is handling arrangements.
www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com