Obituary of Donna K. Mason

Donna Kay Mason of McDaniel Ave, Jamestown NY, passed away peacefully in her home, on 10/1/22, surrounded by her family, after a lengthy illness. Donna was born on March 17th, 1950, in Jamestown, NY, to Gladys and Joseph Martin, and lived to an age she would have never admitted, as she looked no older than 39 at any point. Donna graduated Jamestown High in 1968, followed by completion of her master's in education from Fredonia State University. She married her best friend, and victim of many of her pranks—Barry L. Mason—on June 8th, 1974. She was employed by both Falconer & Frewsburg School Districts until 1988, at which time she chose to stay home with her children and manage the family business, Mason Refrigeration. With a quick wit and penchant for making friends everywhere she went, Donna will be remembered for her infectious laugh, her love of fashion, and her many talents. Donna enjoyed crafting custom Halloween decorations and spent decades ensuring she had the scariest front yard on the West Side of Jamestown. The bravest trick-or-treaters to her door were always rewarded with a bag full of treats. Donna adored the Buffalo Bills and spent many years attending home games with her family, and away games practicing her many superstitious rituals, which never quite resulted in a Super Bowl win. Since childhood, her love for baking brought joy and sugar overloads to everyone around her. Her trays of Christmas cookies were to be admired, and according to Donna and those who knew her—the best of any selection of cookies in the world. On every holiday, she opened her home to anyone who was tired of their own families and needed a relaxing place to unwind. Donna was known for her storytelling and elaborate practical jokes, most of which are not suitable for print publications. Besides her husband and care-taker Barry, to whom she spent 48 wonderful and laughter-filled years married to, she is survived by her daughters, Jennifer L. Mason of Lakewood, Melanie L. (Katie) Mason of West Ellicott, and dozens of her children's friends, whom she loved and fed as her own—although she did threaten to claim them all on her taxes every year. Per Donna's request, no visitation will be observed, though a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Rd. Jamestown, NY 14701, from where her family brought home more than one cat against her wishes, whom she always fell in love with.