Dorothy Jean Hart Mason

Dorothy Jean Hart Mason

1919-2015

Dorothy Jean Hart Mason was born on June 7, 1919, in Enid, Okla. Her parents were Mason Hart, a dairy farmer and two term county sheriff, and Geneva Walton Hart, an extraordinarily talented mother, piano teacher, cook, seamstress, and all around handy farm wife. They were active in their church, community, and politics. Dorothy was the third of five children, including Belva (Karns), Mason Hart, Jr., Geraldine (Rhodes), and her youngest sister and only surviving sibling, Jo Anne Hayes of Stillwater, Okla. As a child, Dorothy had many adventures, both on the farm with her siblings and as a talented entertainer. Her mother fostered talents in all of the girls and took them all over the state, entertaining at everything from civic clubs to conventions. Dorothy was a talented tap dancer, often copying steps from movies of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. Her more surprising talent was as a whistler, surprising audiences with renditions of songs such as Indian Love Call. She started entertaining at age nine and continued through her first year of college until her marriage at age nineteen.

Dorothy’s education started in a one room schoolhouse in Enid, OK. She also attended McKinley Grade School, and was crowned Queen of the grade schools in the sixth grade. She graduated from Enid High School in 1937 and attended what was then called Okla. A and M college for one year which created many wonderful memories, most of them not of the academic kind. It was here that she met Fred Mason, of Pampa, Texas, a wonderful dancer of the ballroom kind, who literally swept her off her feet.

Dorothy and Fred married on Oct. 16, 1938, in her parents’ homey farmhouse. Their early life was pretty adventurous, with several moves, such as Mason City Washington, where Fred worked on the Grand Coulee Dam, and Portland Oregon, where he worked in the shipyards during WWII. They were always drawn back to Okla. and family and friends there, living longest in Enid and Chickasha, as Fred was transferred by his employer, Champlin Oil Company. They had just moved to Woodward, Okla., due to a promotion, when Fred was diagnosed with a brain tumor from which he died in Oct., 1972. Their four children survive: Kay Byler, of Denver, CO; Fred (Peggy Scaffetta) Mason, of Austin, TX; Brad (Betty Schmidt) Mason, of Edmond; and Hart (Patty Walker) Mason, of Dallas, TX. She has nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Dorothy had many talents besides dancing and whistling. She enjoyed cooking and sewing for her family and large extended family and devoted many volunteer talents and years to her church, her children’s schools, and her community. Among them: Grey Lady, Pink Lady, Christian Home, Meals on Wheels, Hope Center, Breakfast on Blvd., Edmond Historical Museum, and many years as Sunday school and/or Bible school teacher. While doing all that, she found time to play lots of Bridge and other card games, cherishing the many friends she met through playing. She was known for her sense of fun and jokes, especially on April Fool’s Day, and was a favorite among young relatives.

After husband Fred’s death, Dorothy moved to Edmond with her youngest son, Hart, where she worked in the business office at Central State University and he attended college. She was always proud that all four of her children graduated from college.

Dorothy always felt that her proudest accomplishments were being a good wife, mother, and friend. We are sure that God has noticed her faithful devotion and thankfulness as well.

Services are under the direction of Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond, OK. Visitation will be Thursday, June 11, from 2-8 p.m. and Friday, June 12, from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 13, in the Matthews Funeral Home Chapel at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. A Graveside Service will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Chickasha at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 13.