Obituary Gail Mason, 80

Gail “Abigail” Kramer Mason, 80, an Orange resident for more than 55 years, wife of Richard A. Mason, died Oct. 28.

She was born in Meriden, a descendent of Governor William Bradford of the Mayflower and Plymouth Colony.

Mrs. Mason was a graduate of UConn where she met her husband Dick. They were married for 58 years.

She had an interest in Ancient, European and American History and was one of the founders of the Orange Historical Society and its first secretary. She also formed and led a Junior Historical Society and was a girl scout leader for a number of years.

She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe; especially England, France, Italy and Ireland. Gail took pleasure in her own ethnicity which was German, Irish, English and Yankee, her family said.

Mrs. Mason retired from the Orange Police Department after 20 years where she served under five chiefs as administrative assistant. She was a 40-year member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She also was active in Milford’s Freelove Baldwin Stowe branch of the DAR.

She liked doing crafts, and in her later years, she was an avid quilter, making many quilts for her children and grandchildren. She loved birds and was an advocate and protector of wildlife, and for the humane treatment of animals, especially the small ones.

Besides her husband, survivors include a daughter, Bonnie Mason (Al Chock) of Hampstead, N.H.; a son, Richard Jr. (Mary Milewski) of East Hampton; and a son, Seth (Kirsten) of Orange; and nine grandchildren, Nicholas Mason, Alfred and Lee Chock, Hunter, Ethan and Madeline Mason, and Kai, Maren and Eden Milewski Mason.

Services were Saturday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m., Orange Congregational Church, 205 Meetinghouse Lane, Orange. Burial was private; there were no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to the World Wildlife Fund, 1250 Twenty-Fourth St., N.W., PO Box 97180, Washington, D.C 20090; or the Connecticut Audubon Society, 2325 Burr St., Fairfield, CT. 06824.