Joan Margaret Mason, of Traverse City, MI and Punta Gorda, FL, died at home surrounded by her family on September 10, 2014 after a long illness. She was born to the late Arlow and Marjorie Welling on Nov 13, 1929 in Caro, MI. She graduated as valedictorian from Waldron High School and attended nursing school at the University of Toledo.

Joan is survived by her husband, Wendell E. Mason. They were married on Sept. 11, 1949. She is also survived by a daughter, Pamela Wood (James) of Randolph, NJ and two sons, Thomas Mason (Georgia) of Alexandria, Virginia and Columbia, SC and James Mason (Pam) of DeWitt, MI and Los Angeles, California. She was the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Nicknamed "Mrs. Garden" by her neighbors, Joan was known for her beautiful flowers and prolific vegetable gardens. She volunteered hundreds of hours for Foote Hospital, the Rotary Anns, and the Presbyterian Church while residing in Jackson, MI. She was an avid golfer, and with her husband, organized a Burnt Store Marina, FL couple's golf group for over 30 years. Joan enjoyed Detroit Tigers baseball, cooking, painting, stamp collecting, organizing her homes and caring for others. Most importantly, she was a thoughtful and caring friend to all who knew her and cherished the roles of devoted wife, mother, grandmother, & great grandmother.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made to the National Kidney Foundation, the Munson Home Health Hospice Services, the Presbyterian Church of Traverse City, or the Burnt Store Presbyterian Church in Punta Gorda, FL.

A memorial service will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Traverse City, MI on Friday, September 12, 2014 at 10:00. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to that service. A graveside service will take place in Waldron, MI on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 2:00 in the Waldron Cemetery. A memorial will also be held at the Burnt Store Presbyterian Church in Punta Gorda, FL in November.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Joan's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com

Arrangements are being handled by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City, MI.