Kathy Jo Mason, 64, was the only daughter of five children to Wes and Joella McNeill in Tangent, Ore., Jan. 29, 1953, and departed this life May 18, 2017.
She graduated from Centralia High School and went on to attend Centralia College.
On May 13, 1972, Kathy married her soulmate, Clarence “Skip” Mason. Together, they had two beautiful daughters, Barbara Mason and Sheryl Mason. During Skip and Kathy’s marriage, they lived a full and adventurous life. They lived in Centralia until 1986, when they bought “Rices Resort” in Sekiu, Wash. In 1989, Kathy and her family sold the resort and moved to Maui, where she was an office manager at a company building golf courses. In 1990, Kathy and her family moved back to Sekiu, where she was an accountant for Clallam Bay School District. Then, in 1992, Kathy and her family moved to Puyallup, then Gig Harbor, as Skip worked for the Pierce County Sheriff Department. While there, Kathy was employed by Pierce County as an accountant and office assistant until retirement in 2013.
In 2004, Kathy joined the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, where she excelled as a vessel safety inspector, boat crew, coxswain, instructor, flotilla commander and in the IT office. She received many commendations, as well as honors from all who worked with her, including several from the D-13 Admiral. In retirement, Kathy and Skip spent winters in Coolidge, Ariz., and summers with family in Centralia.
She was not afraid to try new things. Kathy liked to garden, fish, hunt, dig clams and was one of the best when it came to filleting fish. She also enjoyed decorating her homes which came naturally to her. Kathy was good at anything she tried.
She was a loving and cherished friend who brought joy to all she encountered. Kathy was considered the go to person everywhere she went and could do anything. She was liked by all and a friend to all she met.
Kathy was a devoted and loving wife and mother. She leaves behind Skip, the love of her life and husband of a much too short 45 years; two daughters, Barbara Mason and Sheryl Mason (Ben Jones); brothers, Tim McNeill and Jeff McNeill; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Wes McNeill; mother, Joella McNeill; and brothers, Michael McNeill and Scott McNeill.
Respecting Kathy’s wishes, the family will not have a funeral service but will celebrate her life later this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Relay for Life.
