Barbara Mason
Linda, Rick and Brenda,
I just, today, learned of the passing of your Mom and am so very sorry to have missed
her Memorial Service. Wanted all of you to know how much I admired her as a wife
and mother. I always felt she encompassed everything a child could want in a parent;
loving, kind, caring, helpful, a great listener and advisor, sharing, loyal and a a most wonderful sense of humor as I can still hear her laughter. No doubt in my mind that she
carried these traits all through her life. She transported me to so many places during
my young years.and I have such fond memories of laughter and conversations in the
car with her going to and from the dances at the Arcola Fire Department. She kept up
with all the kids and genuinely cared what was going on with everyone.
Mrs. Dowden, as she will always be that to me, was a wonderful role model and I hope
I have been able to give my children a lot of what I learned and observed from her.
Please know that I think you all had one of the very best of Mom's and I am deeply
saddened at your loss but happy for you all to have had such a rare and wonderful
lady in your lives. I can only imagine at what a wonderful grandparent she made.
Please know you have my deepest sympathy and I very much share in your sadness
and know how much better your lives have been because of her.
You all have my best wishes for great happiness and health now and in the years ahead,
Fondly,
Barbara Thompson Mason
